INC – Apr 7 – Joel Simkhai founded Grindr, the location-aware hookup app, five years ago. The app has now 5M active monthly users. 75% of revenue comes from subscriptions to Gridr Xtra, which allows users to see more other nearby users.
Q: What motivated you to start Grindr?
A: In my 20s I tried some more traditional dating sites but location was not part of it.
Q: Did you know how to write software?
A: No, I went into this frantic race to find a developer.
Q: Did you take venture capital?
A: We are all self-funded.
Q: Was not taking investment a strategy from the beginning?
A: I like challenges, and I like the idea that if I'm going to risk something, I'm going to get the reward.
Q: How do you find new users?
A: We've done a little Facebook advertising. It's all really word of mouth and press.
Q: What is Tinder doing differently than Blendr did?
A: I think they figured out some things that I didn't figure out. Girls don't want to be harassed by guys. It's a more controlled harass.
Q: Are you worried about Tinder as competition?
A: It's not an app for gay guys.
Q: Are you still growing?
A: Yes, as people get more iPhones globally. Markets like Brazil are growing well for us now.
Q: Would you consider an exit strategy?
A: I'd take $19 billion. But no, I don't think I'd go public.
by Christine Lagorio-Chafkin
The full article was originally published at Palm Beach Post, but is no longer available.
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GMA NEWS – Oct 17 – Radian 6 analysis shows that buzz surrounding dating apps is high at a total of 2,094,611 mentions. Tinder is the leading topic of discussion for most at 1,383,012, far outpacing counterparts Badoo (505,611), Grindr (137,779), and Twoo (63,733). Sentiment analysis for each of the apps shows an overwhelming positive response, with exception of Grindr (10,179 neg/8,658 pos). A more in-depth analysis reveals that the consensus on dating apps is that they are mainly used for and associated with hooking up.
