NATIONALWORLD – According to a survey by dating app happn, Gen Z is the least accepting of workplace relationships, with only 50% considering them socially acceptable, compared to 63% of Baby Boomers and 64% of Gen X. One-third of Gen Z say office dating is not okay, citing concerns around productivity, professionalism, career reputation, and team dynamics.
SPOTIFY – Karima, CEO of Happn, joins In Her Shoes to discuss her journey and the success of the dating app, which has reached ~160M users worldwide. Happn offers a unique concept – giving people a second chance to connect with those they've crossed paths with in real life. Karima shares her background growing up in the South of France, her initial passion for law, and how she transitioned into tech, working with online platforms like Dailymotion before joining Happn. She reflects on the challenges and opportunities of becoming a CEO, emphasizing the importance of trusting oneself, taking risks, and empowering her team. Looking ahead, Karima envisions expanding Happn into emerging markets like India and Turkey, where dating app adoption is rising.
DECCAN CHRONICLE – A survey by happn reveals that 1 in 4 Indian singles have turned dating app connections into friendships, and 51% remain friends with former dates. To support this trend, happn has introduced the Relationships feature, allowing users to define their preferences by selecting from options like long-term relationships, casual setups, open connections, or friendships, with the flexibility to choose multiple types at once.
RACONTEUR – The CEO of dating app Happn discusses her leadership journey, the importance of trust, and why being a CEO can feel like living 10 lives in one day
1. What was your journey to CEO like?
I transitioned from legal counsel to CEO in 2021 after working on governance and safety at Happn since 2017. The shift felt natural because I was already deeply involved in the company’s strategy.
2. How has your background helped you as a CEO?
My legal expertise supports strategic thinking, risk anticipation, and ensuring compliance with global regulations, all of which are essential for my role.
3. What skills does a good leader need?
Empowering and trusting team members while encouraging them to perform at their best.
4. Best business advice received?
Being authentic helps build trust and stronger relationships within the team.
5. What do you look for in leadership hires?
I value trust, optimism, courage, willingness to take initiative, and the potential to grow with the company.
6. Biggest challenge in the sector?
Fierce competition and differing global dating cultures, with women’s safety being a key priority in emerging markets like India.
7. Impact of the pandemic?
Dating-app fatigue led us to focus on features that prioritize fewer but more tailored profiles to meet user preferences.
8. Most enjoyable part of the job?
Balancing long-term strategy with operational collaboration and inspiring the team to achieve our shared goals.
9. Recommended business book?
No Rules Rules by Netflix CEOs Reed Hastings and Erin Meyer offer valuable insights into reinventing company culture.
10. Hobbies outside work?
Spending time with my two sons, exploring forests, swimming, and visiting flea markets to give old items a second chance.
STARTUPS.CO.UK – Karima Ben Abdelmalek, CEO of happn, highlights how AI can address key issues in online dating, such as safety and dating fatigue. AI tools can detect suspicious behavior, help eliminate scammers, and offer curated profile selections to combat user fatigue, like happn's 'Daily' feature. She also notes that AI can support partnerships with the hospitality industry by suggesting meeting spots for dates, benefiting both users and businesses. Abdelmalek stresses that AI should be used responsibly to improve the user experience, not just as a marketing tactic.
THE TIMES OF BENGAL – happn, a dating app with ~41M users in India, has expanded its CrushPoints feature to allow users to add favorite places like restaurants and parks to their profiles. This helps singles connect based on shared locations. In partnership with Foursquare, happn integrates a vast array of global locations. happn plans to integrate advertising based on user interests and aims to double its B2B revenues by 2025.
FAST COMPANY – Smaller dating apps like HER, Feeld, and Happn are gaining traction by serving niche communities and offering alternatives to major apps like Bumble and Hinge. "They're not designed to be first-tier," says Eric Resnick, an online dating coach. "They're just designed to serve their niche really well." HER, targeting queer women and nonbinary individuals, boasts 15M users and is experiencing what founder Robyn Exton calls a "sapphic renaissance." Match Group operates community-based apps such as Archer, BLK, Chispa, and Upward. Happn, a French app, connects users who frequent the same locations, appealing to those tired of endless swiping. Feeld, popular among nonmonogamous users, allows users to list intimacy preferences and has seen significant growth among Gen Z.
BOLDOUTLINE – Happn, a leading real-life dating app, partners with The Alternative Story, a mental health organization, to launch #SundaySharingSessions. This initiative offers happn users free counselling chat sessions every Sunday from Jan 14 to Feb 4, 2024, addressing challenges like emotional burnout in digital dating and the importance of mental health in relationships. The partnership aims to provide a supportive space for honest conversations and professional guidance, reflecting both organizations' commitment to enhancing mental well-being in the dating world.