BUSINESS INSIDER – Julie Griggs and Danielle Dietzek, former healthcare professionals, founded the dating app Fourplay in 2019 with no prior tech experience. They left their jobs in 2022 to run the startup full-time. Fourplay, which facilitates double dates, faced early challenges, including COVID-19 and technical issues, but the founders overcame them by hiring in-house developers. The app gained traction through user-generated content, particularly a viral TikTok video, and now boasts 60K users. They credit their success to learning from mistakes, leveraging their network, and adapting to the tech space despite their initial inexperience.
Category: Outlets – Business Insider
New Dating Startups Offer Fresh Alternatives to Traditional Apps
BUSINESS INSIDER – New dating startups are shaking up the industry, responding to user fatigue with traditional apps like Tinder and Hinge. Notable startups include Pique, which offers daily matches without swiping, and Fourplay, which focuses on double dating. Friend of a Friend emphasizes mutual connections, while Boo uses personality-driven profiles. FFWD offers video profiles for genuine interactions, and Sitch and Amori incorporate AI-powered matchmaking and coaching. These apps aim to create more meaningful and real-life interactions for users.
by Sydney Bradley & Dan Latu
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Review of AI-Powered Dating App Rizz
BUSINESS INSIDER – Rizz is an AI-powered dating app designed to generate pickup lines, responses and decode screenshots of conversations to help users build rapport and meet in person. It offers a free trial and subscriptions for $7 per week or $20 per month and currently has 7M downloads. The app focuses on moving users from texting to real-life meetings. Compared to other AI chatbots like Gemini and Character.Ai, Rizz is more tailored to dating but lacks the depth and personalization of more general AI platforms. For $20 a month, users might expect more comprehensive dating coach services.
Dateability: a Dating App for the Disabled and Chronically Ill Community
BUSINESS INSIDER – After facing rejection and discrimination on traditional dating apps due to her invisible disabilities, Jacqueline Child and her sister Alexa co-founded Dateability, a free dating app for the disabled and chronically ill community. Launched in 2021, the app claims ~11K users and aims to remove the pressure and stigma around disclosing disabilities by allowing users to share their conditions openly and neutrally.
Seeking Depth in Digital Dating: the Rise of ‘Date-Me Docs’
Elon Musk Said He Wants X to Be a Dating App, Too
Meta’s AI Dating Coach Avoids Explicit Content, Focuses on Healthy Communication
Hinge Is Hiring a VP of AI
BUSINESS INSIDER – Hinge is hiring a VP of artificial intelligence (AI) to lead its transition to an "AI-First company." The role, based in New York, offers a salary between $332K to $398K annually and requires an advanced degree in a related field plus tech leadership experience. This individual will work on developing AI features, ensuring ethical AI practices, and defining the company's AI goals. This move by Hinge aligns with the broader trend of incorporating AI into dating apps to enhance user experiences.
Online Dating Stocks: Wall Street Bullish Despite Slump
BUSINESS INSIDER – Wall Street analysts predict a resurgence in online dating apps despite their poor stock performance since 2021. Match Group and Bumble have seen a significant decline in their stock value (Match Group has shed 75% of its value since hitting a record share price of $169.53, Bumble has tumbled 77% from its IPO of $75.46), but analysts remain optimistic due to strong growth prospects and the sustained popularity of online dating. Bank of America analyst Nat Schindler cited that these stocks are undervalued relative to their cash flow and foresees significant potential for growth. He also believes that online dating, being a primary means for new couples to meet, won't face a recession even if the economy does, as it meets a basic human need for connection. Sam Yagan, the co-founder of OkCupid and former CEO of Match, said that the years following the 2008 recession were actually OkCupid's best years. However, investors remain cautious, particularly due to concerns about the broader economic climate and the impact of the Federal Reserve raising interest rates. Meanwhile, dating apps are making strategic changes, such as short-term subscriptions and brand revamps, to attract users and prepare for economic challenges. Analysts suggest that investors are taking a "wait and see" approach.
by Jennifer Sor
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Dispo Team Develops New AI-Powered Dating App, Teaser AI
BUSINESS INSIDER – The team behind photo-sharing app Dispo is building a new dating app called Teaser AI. The app will incorporate AI into online dating, allowing users to match with people and then chat with an AI version of the match. Prospective matches can chat with the user's AI, and the user can chat with theirs. The app is set to launch later in May and aims to "stop ghosting" with AI technology and ward off catfishing and creeps by verifying profiles. David Dobrik is not involved in the launch and development of Teaser AI. Daniel Liss, cofounder and CEO of Dispo, is listed as the primary contact for the new app.
by Sydney Bradley and Amanda Perelli
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