Category: Reporters – Ivan Mehta

Known Raises $9.7M to Test Voice AI Dating App Focused on Faster In-Person Dates

Posted on December 22, 2025
Logo of the company 'known' designed in a modern font against a light background.

TECH CRUNCH – Known has raised $9.7M in funding as it tests a voice AI–driven dating app designed to move users toward faster in-person dates. The San Francisco–based startup replaces traditional profiles with long, conversational voice onboarding sessions that capture nuanced preferences and improve matching. In a local beta, the company says about 80% of introductions led to real-life dates, far higher than swipe-based apps. Matches must accept introductions and agree to dates within short time windows to reduce ghosting, and the app also helps schedule dates and choose restaurants. Known is currently testing in San Francisco ahead of a broader launch.

See full article at Tech Crunch

Tinder Evolves Some Features Into Dating ‘Modes’

Posted on September 10, 2025
A mobile app interface displaying profiles of three users: Jace, Danny, and Nancy. Each profile includes a photo, name, age, and a brief description of the individual. The app layout features options for navigation at the top and buttons for interaction at the bottom.

TECH CRUNCH – Tinder is rolling out new “modes” to refresh its app and keep users engaged. Double Date, first launched in June, is now expanding worldwide and has already led to 25% more messages per match compared to one-on-one chats. College Mode, building on Tinder U, will allow students to connect with others beyond their own campus and is set to launch later this autumn. Alongside these, the app’s home screen introduces a “For You” mode that preserves the classic Tinder experience, while the company prepares more modes focused on interests, intentions, and different ways of connecting. Match Group highlighted these developments during its Q2 2025 earnings call, signaling a push to adapt to Gen Z’s preference for low-pressure, flexible ways of meeting new people.

See full article at Tech Crunch

Match Flat at $864M for Q2, Tinder Redesign Adds Dating Modes

Posted on August 7, 2025
Three smartphone screens displaying the Tinder app. The left screen showcases a 'Double Date' feature, inviting friends to join. The middle screen features profiles of two users, Jace and Danny, with profile pictures and interests. The right screen shows a chat interface with messages exchanged between the matched users.

TECH CRUNCH – CEO Spencer Rascoff said Tinder will debut “modes,” which will allow users to switch between different dating goals. A broader redesign will include features aimed at college students. Another new feature allows users to like specific parts of a profile and start conversations based on those likes, similar to Hinge. Q2 revenue was flat at $864M and earnings declined from $133M year-over-year to $122M. A better-than-expected Q3 outlook forecast revenue of $910-920M. Match will invest $50M in product development and experiment with AI matching on Tinder, which it debuted in New Zealand earlier this year with matches based on info from profiles and insights from camera roll photos. Tinder’s Double Date option, launched in June, lets users pair up with a friend to match with another couple.

See full article at Tech Crunch

Mark Brooks: The $50M in AI product development is the real news here. Match has the pockets to really deliver on AI-based disruption and meaningful product improvements.

Curated by the Courtland Brooks team

Sitch’s New Dating App Fuses Human Matchmaking and AI

Posted on June 26, 2025

Sitch iconTECH CRUNCH – Sitch is a New York-based dating app that combines human matchmaking methods with AI. It uses large language models to analyze user data and generate curated match suggestions without swiping. Users complete a detailed onboarding process with around 50 questions, via text or voice. Matches are presented by the AI, and if both users agree, they're placed in a group chat with the bot. Users can provide post-date feedback to improve future matches. The app charges per setup: 3 matches for $89.99, 5 for $124.99, and 8 for $159.99. Profiles are manually reviewed to ensure quality. Sitch has raised $7M in funding, including $5M from M13 and a16z speedrun. The app is currently only available on iOS and operates exclusively in New York, with plans to expand.

by Ivan Mehta
See full article at Tech Crunch

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Hinge Adds a Way to Mute Messages Containing Words Users Specify

Posted on April 25, 2024

Hinge hidden words
TECH CRUNCH – Hinge is introducing a new "Hidden Words" feature that allows users to filter out likes with comments containing specified words, phrases, or emojis. This feature, similar to social media mute filters, helps users manage online harassment by redirecting likes with specified terms into a separate "Hidden Likes" section. Users can review or delete these comments at their discretion. Currently, Hinge permits adding up to 1K hidden words to a profile.

by Ivan Mehta
See full article at Tech Crunch

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Match Group Promotes Faye Iosotaluno to Tinder CEO

Posted on January 10, 2024
Tinder Faye Iosotaluno

TECH CRUNCH – Match Group has named Faye Iosotaluno as the new Tinder CEO, two years after the previous CEO Renate Nyborg left the company in August 2022. During that time, Match Group CEO Bernard Kim held the position. Iosotaluno has been working at the Match Group since 2017. She was promoted from the company’s chief strategy officer position to Tinder’s chief operating officer in 2022 when Nyborg departed. Nyborg is now building an AI companion startup backed by Sequoia and Andrew Ng’s AI Fund.

by Ivan Mehta
See full article at Tech Crunch

See the top news on Match Group

Tinder Redesigns Profile Pages With Prompts, Info Tags and Quiz

Posted on November 21, 2023

Tinder profile pagesTECH CRUNCH – Tinder is updating its profiles with new features to enhance user interaction and make starting conversations easier. These updates include conversation-starting prompts, personalized quizzes, and basic info tags on interests and lifestyle. Additionally, Tinder introduces a dark mode setting and updated animations, including a new "It's a Match!" screen. Users can also report specific content within these new sections for improved safety.

by Ivan Mehta
See full article at Tech Crunch

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Bumble Changes Its Policy to Crack Down on Bots, Ghosting, and Doxing

Posted on September 1, 2023

Bumble logo white for social mediaTECH CRUNCH – Bumble is implementing updated community guidelines to combat issues like bots, spam, ghosting, and doxing on its dating apps, including Badoo. The new rules include a ban on artificial actions to influence engagement, the prohibition of adult content, and counting "no-shows" as "bullying and abusive conduct." Bumble is also addressing doxing and victim-blaming as rule-breaking offenses. The company has previously used AI to detect fake and spam accounts, and it's committed to improving platform safety. However, it hasn't detailed changes to reporting options or handling off-platform violations.

by Ivan Mehta
See full article a Tech Crunch

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