From the Ground Up: Episode Summary Episode Title: The $75 Billion Deception Economy and the Female Founders Finding the Solution
Release Date: May 1, 2025
Hosts: Diana Ransom and Christine Lagorio-Chafkin
Guests: Kailey Nietzsche (Founder & CEO of Fuzzy) and Jackie Saleem (Founder & CEO of Qualified Digital)
Produced by: Ink Custom Studio in partnership with Fuzzy and Qualified Digital

Introduction

In this compelling episode of From the Ground Up, Inc. Magazine’s Executive Editor Diana Ransom and Editor-at-Large Christine Lagorio-Chafkin engage in an insightful conversation with Kailey Nietzsche and Jackie Saleem, the pioneering female founders behind the innovative app, Fuzzy. The discussion centers around the burgeoning $75 billion deception economy and how Fuzzy is revolutionizing online safety, particularly within the realm of dating apps and beyond.

The $75 Billion Deception Economy

Abigail Bassett, the episode’s host, sets the stage by highlighting the pervasive issue of online deception, particularly in dating apps where "an estimated 1 in 10 dating profiles is fake" (00:31). The rise of AI has exacerbated this problem, making fake profiles and falsified information increasingly difficult to detect. This deception economy not only poses risks in personal relationships but also extends to various online interactions, leading to significant financial and emotional losses.

Founding of Fuzzy

Kailey Nietzsche shares the deeply personal motivation behind Fuzzy, “The genesis of it is from my own experience. I wanted to find love, and I fell victim to deception on dating apps” (01:37). Her heartbreak from being lied to about essential personal details spurred her to create a solution that could prevent others from experiencing similar pain. Kailey’s collaboration with Jackie Saleem of Qualified Digital was instrumental in transforming her vision into a tangible, technologically advanced application.

How Fuzzy Works

Jackie Saleem delves into the mechanics of Fuzzy, explaining that the app leverages basic user information—name, age, and location—combined with facial recognition and data aggregation from reliable sources to verify profiles (05:54). This system ensures that users receive accurate and trustworthy information, mitigating the risks of deception. Kailey emphasizes the app’s user-centric design, aiming for "very low input for maximum output" to provide quick and reliable verification results within seconds (05:54).

Innovations with AI

A standout feature of Fuzzy is its use of Artificial Intelligence to enhance verification processes. Kailey introduces Fuzzy's ADD (Automated Deception Discovery) technology: “Our secret sauce is patent pending. It’s looking at what someone is claiming to be true and putting our algorithm against it to see if there's any inconsistencies” (08:00). Jackie elaborates on how AI is employed not just for facial recognition but also for sentiment analysis to detect behaviors indicative of narcissism or other red flags in conversations (11:04). This dual approach ensures a comprehensive assessment of a user's authenticity and intentions.

Beyond Dating Apps – Other Applications

Fuzzy's utility extends far beyond the dating scene. Kailey provides examples of everyday scenarios where verification is crucial, such as hiring babysitters or contractors. “Fuzzy can be used for any online connection, ensuring that you’re in a safer position” (09:08). The app’s versatility makes it valuable for B2B applications, allowing businesses to perform quick and affordable background checks without the need for extensive manual searches.

Challenges and Legislative Efforts

The founders discuss the challenges of aggregating and verifying vast amounts of data from disparate sources. Jackie mentions the complexity of ensuring data accuracy and privacy: “It’s super complicated to collate all this data and make sure that it is actually the same person” (16:17). They are also actively exploring legislative avenues to improve access to public records and enhance data transparency, advocating for easier retrieval of criminal records to ensure user safety (15:15).

Community and Inclusivity

A core value of Fuzzy is building a safe and inclusive community. Kailey underscores the importance of accessibility with a freemium model, ensuring that everyone, regardless of economic status, can benefit from enhanced online safety (25:06). The app is designed to support diverse communities, including LGBTQ individuals who may be more vulnerable to online deception. Jackie adds, “We believe there are more good actors than bad actors. We want to encourage verification to foster trust” (22:20).

Conclusion and Insights

Wrapping up the conversation, Kailey shares an empowering message about self-belief and the importance of passion in entrepreneurship: “If you believe in yourself and have a lot of passion, get out there and do it” (26:06). She credits the support system and her partnership with Qualified Digital as pivotal to Fuzzy’s success. The episode concludes with a reaffirmation of Fuzzy’s mission to create a safer online environment, emphasizing that verification is a proactive step towards building trust and fostering genuine connections.

Notable Quotes

• Kailey Nietzsche (01:37): “I got to work, and I turned my heartbreak into action. And Fuzzy the app was born.”
• Jackie Saleem (03:54): “We don’t want to be the Norton antivirus of dating. We want to make sure that what we’re doing is optimistic and about finding love.”
• Kailey Nietzsche (08:00): “Our secret sauce is patent pending. It’s looking at what someone is claiming to be true and putting our algorithm against it to see if there's any inconsistencies.”
• Jackie Saleem (11:04): “We’re doing things like sentiment analysis to detect if conversations are leaning more narcissistic than not.”
• Kailey Nietzsche (25:06): “If you believe in yourself and you have a lot of passion behind what you believe, you want to get out there in the world, do it.”

Key Takeaways

1. Personal Motivation: Fuzzy was born out of Kailey Nietzsche’s personal experiences with online deception, highlighting the real-world impact of digital fraud.
2. Technological Innovation: Combining AI with comprehensive data aggregation allows Fuzzy to effectively verify online profiles and detect deceptive behaviors.
3. Beyond Dating: The app’s applications extend to various everyday scenarios and business needs, making it a versatile tool for enhancing online safety.
4. Challenges Addressed: Fuzzy tackles the complexities of data verification and privacy, advocating for better legislative support to improve data transparency.
5. Inclusive Safety: By offering a freemium model and supporting diverse communities, Fuzzy ensures that enhanced online safety is accessible to all.
6. Empowerment and Community: Fuzzy fosters a community built on trust and verification, encouraging good actors to participate and thereby reducing the prevalence of fraudsters.

Final Thoughts

This episode of From the Ground Up provides an in-depth look into the innovative solutions being developed to combat the ever-growing deception economy. Through the dedication and collaboration of Kailey Nietzsche and Jackie Saleem, Fuzzy stands as a testament to how technology, combined with personal passion, can drive significant positive change in the digital landscape. Listeners are left inspired by the founders' resilience and commitment to creating a safer, more trustworthy online environment.