VANCOUVER — Harjot Rai had three minutes to make his PowerPoint pitch.
The subject? His cringing friend, Matt White.
And the audience was a far cry from executives in a corporate boardroom. Instead, it was 150 strangers at the Hollywood Theatre in Vancouver.
“I present to you, Matt ‘White Chocolate.’ Why do I say chocolate? Because he’s going to melt your heart tonight, ladies. Sweeter than a kiss, just like the love you guys are going to have,” said Rai, as White’s photo covered the screen.
White — a six-foot-tall, 25-year-old graduate of the University of British Columbia’s business school — sat in a chair on the opposite side of the stage, seemingly fidgeting in his seat.
“Don’t worry, he’s not your typical finance bro,” said Rai. “He’s not going to ask for your LinkedIn stuff. He works in logistics. Right now, we’re trying to solve the logistical problem of getting him into your heart tonight.”
The “Pitch Your Friend” dating events are the brainchild of Amy Xiao and Megan Lo, co-founders of Mudflower, a Vancouver community group they started to combat loneliness, foster social connections and maybe find more.
The group has hosted various events since launching last summer, including speed dating, where 14 matches have been made, said Lo.
At last week’s event, Rai listed White’s many “green flags,” from valuing family to being a great communicator.
“And he’s a dual citizen, so if you guys need (permanent residency) or a green card, he’s your guy,” said Rai.
His red flags?
“He will fact-check you. He grew up in New Jersey. So, this is a hot take — he thinks pineapple belongs on pizza,” said Raj.
“And he is white,” Raj said, the crowd laughing at the double meaning.
Offstage, White agreed it took courage to subject himself to Rai’s pitch, but he said, “it’s a rough market.”
“I don’t really think there’s an easy method these days. You just kind of got to put yourself out there.”
Rai said he tried to make the presentation “goofy” and fun, since the best way to somebody’s heart is through laughter.
“That’s the whole point, because you’ll really show your personality through that,” he said.
Rai, who is also a bachelor, said he had been on dating apps before, but he deleted them. “It feels like a popularity contest,” he said.
Lo, a website and graphic designer, said attending events like these can be a refreshing way to meet new people, and even if attendees don’t leave with a match, it’s still a memorable experience.
Lo and Xiao said that users of dating apps are experiencing burnout.
Xiao, a psychology student at UBC, said there was a lot of excitement when such apps first came out, but the online dating process was now making some people “feel quite detached.”
“Because it’s almost like you’re shopping, because you never get to really know them on a deeper level, and the apps are not made in a way to facilitate that,” said Xiao.
“These in-person communities are more important than ever, because they bring people back together in person, rather than through a phone,” she said.
Nathan Alcubilla, 22, was pitched by his friend since high school, Ace Ventura.
“He’s hardworking, and he loves to cook with a special ingredient, that’s love, guys,” said Ventura, whose name is real, listed on his driver’s licence.
“He’s a mechanic, he’s got rough hands. Look at him, he’s wearing Carhartt,” he said, referring to workwear clothing.
Ventura said he couldn’t think of one single red flag for Alcubilla.
“He is lucky for someone who enjoys cute dates, drinks, and late-night drives,” said Ventura, “So, that’s something everyone needs.”
Alcubilla later said Vancouver is a close-knit city where people always hang out with the same group of friends. PowerPoint dating was a way to branch out to meet new people, he said.
Back on stage, Ashna Zaman introduced her friend and colleague Xinyue Ma as a 26-year-old “finance legend, computer programming baddie.”
Zaman said Ma was “empathetic” with “proactive kindness.”
“OK, let’s be real here. Some of these things are hard to find out there. And so, this proactive kindness thing, I would really highlight that.”
Zaman said Ma was looking for a supportive boyfriend willing to try new things together, be respectful, and be a good listener.
Zaman said offstage that it was nerve-racking to present Ma to so many people. It was a job she took very seriously.
“I could change her fate. What if she finds her husband? What if I mess up, and then she misses out on an opportunity to meet someone? So, yes, I was absolutely nervous and terrified, but I think it worked out,” smiled Zaman.
Ma said it’s always good to hear what friends think of you, and the whole experience made her feel very supported.
“You get to know people from their friends’ perspective, which is something you normally wouldn’t get from dating apps. So, I think it’s very efficient, very effective, and pretty genuine,” added Ma.
Xiao called it a “special and memorable night.”
“I think what was most special for me was that throughout every presentation, people were probably nervous, right? But they were so amazing, and everyone in the audience was also cheering them on, and they were so supportive.”
“I think a lot of people said it gave them hope again, and I think they gave me hope again, too,” she added with a smile.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 3, 2026.
Nono Shen, The Canadian Press
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