BUILDING GREAT TECH – In this episode of Building Great Tech, Daniel Cheaib, Founder and CEO of Feels, discusses how the Gen Z-focused dating app has reached ~8M downloads and achieved 80% YOY revenue growth. He explains how Feels addresses dating app fatigue by prioritizing authenticity and self-expression for users under 30. The conversation explores Gen Z’s relationship with loneliness, the balance between AI and real-life connection, and how Feels is positioning itself within the evolving online dating landscape.
Category: Feels
2025 Was a Year of Execution for Feels
LINKEDIN – 2025 was a year of execution for Feels, a mobile dating app built around short video profiles and personality-first discovery rather than static photos. The company generated $8.5M in revenue, up from $4.7M in 2024, an increase of 80% YOY. EBITDA margin improved from -22% to -6%. Feels expanded into three new geographies during the year and reached 8M total downloads.
Gen Z Dating App Feels Crosses $10M ARR Milestone
LINKEDIN – Feels app has reached an important milestone this summer, crossing $10M in annual recurring revenue and doubling growth in just six months. The app takes a different approach to dating, putting personality and shared experiences at the center through stories and videos, rather than relying on swipes. What makes the progress noteworthy is that it has been achieved with modest funding, a small team, and before entering the largest markets such as the US and UK. Feels was founded by Daniel Cheaib, who shifted from a career in MMA and consulting to build a more authentic and immersive platform for Gen Z.
See full article at LinkedIn
Daniel Cheaib – Dating Startup Stories (Feels) – From Idea to Success
LTR – Daniel Cheaib along with some friends and hired individuals, built Feels, a software product in the consumer space. Daniel transitioned from working in MMA and strategic consulting to pursue his long-desired goal of building a software product. With the rise of online interactions, especially among younger generations, Daniel wanted to create a safe and entertaining experience for his children and others. Recognizing that traditional dating apps had become monotonous with swipe-based features, Daniel and his team aimed to take an orthogonal approach to create a more engaging product. They focused on two main aspects: content sharing and shared experiences. They encouraged users to share more videos and engage in activities together within the app. Feels provides an immersive experience, allowing users to interact with each other based on the experiences they share. The app features profiles, reminiscent of TikTok, where users can scroll through content without immediately making a decision. The goal is to make the dating experience more immersive and ultimately retain users who may have become dissatisfied with other dating apps. Although Feels has gained traction and a strong community in France since its launch in Apr 2021, there is still room for iteration and growth. Currently, Feels has accumulated ~2.5M downloads and generates revenue primarily in France and neighboring countries.
The May LTR was kindly sponsored by technology providers Livebox by The Meet Group, Courtland Brooks and Matchmaker.com
Dating App Feels Launches New Feature “Feels Show” for Shared Content Experience
PRESS RELEASE – The dating app Feels has launched a new feature called "Feels Show," allowing users to watch exclusive content together in real time based on shared interests. The first Feels Show will be in partnership with the Guko Comedy Club and will feature digital stand-up comedy. Feels has ~2M users and is the top dating app for Gen Z in France. The app plans to offer a variety of shows to cater to different audiences and interests.
Feels Is a New Dating App With Profiles That Look More Personal
TECH CRUNCH – Apr 15 – Feels, a new French startup, feels more like watching TikTok videos or browsing stories. Users can record videos, add text and stickers, share photos, answer questions and more. Feels plans to attract new users with organic TikTok posts, some TV ads and more. The company wants to reach 1M users by the end of the year with a big focus on France for now. There are 100K users right now. Feels started offering a premium subscription to unlock more features. The company is still iterating on that part.