Month: April 2025

Lightning-Fast Growth Possible – but Is It Tougher for Dating?

Posted on April 14, 2025

OPW – James Currier is the general partner at NFX, a Palo Alto-based VC focused on pre-seed and seed funding. He founded Tickle in 1999, which grew to 175 million members and sold to Monster in 2004. Tickle (Crunchbase profile) was focused on psych tests and quizzes and had marriage-minded matchmaking as well. James expounds on fast growth cycles that are now possible with AI and lays out an interesting formula in this video. You need three key people. A visionary, a numbers master, and a word meister. Then, keep your AI agent 'plates' spinning.

This is great for many spaces, but dating startups must build a critical mass of users. AI is helping us become more efficient, but the tough part is gaining efficiencies in paid ad spend and fanning the flames to get resonance with our brands for word-of-mouth growth. – See the new IDEA offerings – Mark Brooks

Chennai Police Seek Ban on Grindr Over Drug Trafficking Links, Sparking LGBTQ+ Backlash

Posted on April 14, 2025

Grindr1INDIA TODAY – Chennai police have requested a ban on Grindr, citing its alleged use in over 20 drug trafficking cases since August 2024. Investigations by the Anti-Narcotics Intelligence Unit uncovered 21.9 kg of meth seized and linked the app to drug deals, often marked by coded symbols in profiles. Eight foreign nationals and 17 others were arrested, with narcotics traced to suppliers in Myanmar and Nigeria. A formal ban request was sent to India's cyber authorities. The move has sparked a backlash from LGBTQ+ activists, who argue it unfairly targets one community while ignoring similar misuse on other platforms.

See full article at India Today

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Jewish Dating App Lox Club Is Launching in London

Posted on April 10, 2025

Lox club logoTHE JEWISH CHRONICLE – Lox Club, a dating app originally launched in the U.S. in 2020, is coming to London next week. Aimed at Jewish singles but open to all, the app combines swipe-based dating with optional matchmaking services. Entry is selective: users apply with details like career, income, and social media presence. Swipe limits encourage slower, more intentional matching. The app also hosts offline events like speed dating and Shabbat dinners.

by Imogen Garfinkel
See full article at The Jewish Chronicle

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Blame the Apps? Washington Wants Dating Apps to Foot the Bill for Domestic Violence Services

Posted on April 10, 2025
Washington Wants Dating Apps to Foot the Bill for Domestic Violence Services

THE CENTER SQUARE – A new bill in Washington State proposes a $1 monthly tax per user on online dating app companies. The revenue, estimated at $6M annually, would fund domestic violence services and intervention programs. The bill requires companies to report monthly user numbers and maintain relevant records. Rep. Lauren Davis, who introduced the bill, argues that dating apps have a reasonable link to domestic violence risks and that the tax would create sustainable funding for under-supported victims and treatment services. Some critics question the practicality and impact of taxing dating platforms.

See full article at The Center Square

New Study Links Dating App Use to Hormonal Fluctuations Across Genders

Posted on April 10, 2025

Swipe right
MIRROR.CO.UK – New research by eHarmony and Imperial College of Business shows that dating apps influence hormone levels like dopamine, cortisol, and testosterone. Swiping, matching, and notifications activate the brain's reward system, creating a cycle similar to gambling. While this can lead to excitement and emotional highs, it also causes fluctuations that may affect mood, stress levels, and energy. These effects are seen across all genders, with both positive and negative hormonal shifts depending on the outcome of interactions.

by Danielle Canagasuriam
See full article at Mirror.co.uk

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New Survey by Dating App Gleeden Shows Married Indians Are Rethinking Monogamy

Posted on April 10, 2025
Logo of Gleeden

HER ZINDAGI – A 2024 survey by extramarital dating app Gleeden reveals that over half of married Indians are cheating or exploring non-monogamy, driven by emotional dissatisfaction, changing gender roles, and evolving expectations in urban India. Among respondents aged 25–35 in tier-one and tier-two cities, 50% believe monogamy is becoming irrelevant. The study found that 82% of female Gleeden users involved in affairs cited emotional neglect as a key reason, while 74% said they feel invisible or unheard in their marriages. Meanwhile, 48% believe it’s possible to love two people at once, and 46% think cheating doesn’t rule out love.

by Rupsha Bhadra
See full article at Her Zindagi

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Lunch Actually Has Set up 160K First Dates

Posted on April 10, 2025
Logo of Lunch Actually


MUST SHARE NEWS – Violet Lim, CEO and co-founder of Singapore-based matchmaking agency Lunch Actually, has spent 21 years in the business, arranging 160K first dates and matching 4,500 couples across five countries. Despite industry challenges and rising competition from dating apps, her agency boasts an 85% satisfaction rate. Lim says success in love isn’t just about data or checklists – mindset, self-awareness, and dating skills matter. With a 60/40 female-to-male client ratio, mismatched expectations and unrealistic standards remain common hurdles. After merging with app Paktor, the agency expanded its reach and added coaching services, but Lim admits: chemistry can’t be engineered.

by Prudence Lim
See full article at Must Share News

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Match Group Adds New Director Amid Activist Clash

Posted on April 8, 2025
Logo of Match Group


REUTERS – Match Group has appointed Darrell Cavens, co-founder of Zulily, to its board amid rising tensions with activist investor Anson Funds, which recently nominated three directors of its own. Match says Cavens brings digital commerce and tech innovation expertise, aligning with its strategy for board refreshment. Anson, pushing for cost cuts and a review of Match’s Asia business, criticized the move as reinforcing insider ties, noting CEO Spencer Rascoff previously served on Zulily’s board. Match, whose valuation has dropped from $40B to $7.2B, does not support Anson’s nominees.

See full article at Reuters

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New Student-Built Dating App Cerca Prioritizes Safety and Mutual Connections

Posted on April 8, 2025

Cerca logoGEORGETOWN VOICE – Two Georgetown students launched Cerca, a new dating app focused on safety and real connections by matching users through mutual contacts in their phonebooks. Unlike typical apps, Cerca verifies social links, limits daily swipes, blocks screenshots, and reveals matches once daily to reduce pressure. With 10,000+ users and growing, Cerca is positioning itself as a safer, more intentional alternative to mainstream dating apps, with plans to expand to other universities and cities.

by Imani Liburd & Aubrey Butterfield
See full article at Gergetown Voice