Today we’d like to introduce you to Mateo Cornejo
Hi Mateo, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Growing up, Blake, Mitchell, and I were more than just childhood best friends—we were always thinking up new ideas and pushing each other to dream big. As we got older, one thing became clear in our relationships: deciding where to eat was always a struggle. Every night, we found ourselves in the same conversation with our girlfriends, endlessly debating food options. That’s when Mitchell had a lightbulb moment—what if choosing a restaurant was as easy as swiping on Tinder?
And just like that, Piknik was born.
Piknik is a fun, seamless way to decide where to eat. You start a Piknik session with your partner or friends, select an area, and swipe on restaurant options. When you and your dining partner match, you’ve got your next meal spot locked in. No more endless debates, just great food and even better experiences.
As we continue building Piknik, we’re excited about the incredible enhancements and features we have in store. But for now, our goal is simple: save one relationship at a time and help people discover the hidden foodie gems in their city.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s definitely been a journey—I wouldn’t call it smooth, that’s for sure! We quickly learned that to make this work, we had to fail fast and learn even faster. Starting a business from scratch is already a challenge, but launching a tech startup took it to a whole new level. We had to figure out how to develop an app, understand the intricacies of product design, and navigate the countless moving parts that come with building a platform from the ground up.
One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned is that creating a successful app isn’t just about building something cool—it’s about solving a real problem for our community. Understanding what people love and what they struggle with when picking where to eat has been key. Every challenge and every piece of feedback helps us refine Piknik into the best version it can be.
At the end of the day, the journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth it. We’re committed to making restaurant decisions effortless and fun, one swipe at a time.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Piknik?
Piknik is a restaurant discovery app designed to make choosing where to eat fun, effortless, and interactive. Think of it as Tinder for restaurants—you and your partner or friends start a Piknik session, select an area, and swipe on restaurants. When you match, you’ve found your next dining spot, eliminating the indecisiveness that often comes with picking a place to eat.
What sets Piknik apart is our focus on solving a real, everyday problem in a way that’s engaging and social. We’re not just another food app—we’re building a community-driven experience that helps people explore hidden gems, support local restaurants, and take the stress out of meal decisions.
One of the things we’re most proud of is how quickly people have resonated with our vision. We’ve received incredible feedback from users who love how Piknik simplifies their lives while introducing them to great new food spots. As we continue to grow, we’re working on exciting features that will make the experience even better.
At the heart of Piknik is a simple mission: to bring people together over great food. Whether it’s date night, a group outing, or just finding something new, Piknik is here to take the guesswork out of deciding where to eat.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I’ve always believed that risk and growth go hand in hand. Taking risks isn’t about being reckless—it’s about stepping into the unknown with the belief that you can figure things out along the way.
One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was co-founding Piknik. Starting a business, especially a tech startup, with no prior experience in app development was daunting. We had to dive into unfamiliar territory, invest time and resources, and embrace the reality that failure was a possibility. But instead of fearing failure, we leaned into it. We quickly learned that failing fast and adapting is the key to progress.
For me, risk-taking is about calculated leaps—understanding the challenge, preparing as much as possible, and then having the confidence to take action. It’s uncomfortable, but every great opportunity comes with uncertainty. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that the biggest risks often lead to the most rewarding outcomes.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Piknik.ai
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chewspiknik?igsh=anR2bmloMDU3bm4%3D&utm_source=qr
- Other: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/piknik-restaurant-decisions/id6502470015
