Category: Reporters – Sydney Bradley

12 Startups Raising Millions to Disrupt Dating Apps and Social Networks

Posted on September 18, 2025
Startups Raising Millions to Disrupt Dating Apps and Social Networks

BUSINESS INSIDER – Business Insider reviewed pitch decks from 12 startups disrupting dating apps and social networking, many tackling loneliness, dating fatigue, and dissatisfaction with incumbents. Investors are backing both Big Tech alumni (e.g., Retro, PamPam) and Gen Z founders (e.g., Kndrd, Noplace). Notable raises include Posh ($22M Series A), Spoon Radio ($17M), Clyx ($14M), Pie ($11.5M), and Meet5 ($9M). Seed rounds went to apps like Hangout ($8.2M) and First Round’s On Me ($3M), while Series, an AI professional network for students, raised $3.1M pre-seed. Some startups are experimenting with freemium models or user-backed funding, but investors caution that not all are venture-scale.

See full article at Business Insider

Bumble’s CEO Isn’t Giving up on Helping People Make New Friends

Posted on August 7, 2025

Bumble For Friends
BUSINESS INSIDER – Bumble will launch a new version of its friend-making app, Bumble For Friends. It's a "long-term growth" opportunity for the company…as demand for friendship, real-world connection, and belonging continues to grow." BFF is built on Geneva, a community platform Bumble acquired ($17m in July '24). One-on-one matching, IRL events, and community features are included. Friend-making apps have been having a moment, too. IRL apps 222, Pie, and Timeleft are setting people up with strangers or connecting them with local communities. Bumble reported a 7.6% YOY Q2 decline in revenue, decreasing from $269M in 2024 to $248M. Paying users declined 8.7%.

See full article at Business Insider

Mark Brooks: Bumble is beautifully positioned to be social, but the path is fraught with danger. Dating and social are antithetical. However, I think Bumble, under Whitney, can pull this off.

Curated by the Courtland Brooks team

VC Bets on AI-powered Relationship Platforms Replacing Dating Apps

Posted on July 14, 2025

Gigi
BUSINESS INSIDER – Amber Atherton, partner at VC firm Patron, says dating apps are being replaced by AI-driven platforms that connect users across romance, friendship, and work. Startups like Boardy position themselves as AI-powered professional connectors, while Gigi recently shifted from dating to broader social networking using AI. Patron isn't invested in these but is backing similar early-stage companies through its $100M consumer tech fund. It has invested in Arya, an AI intimacy coach, and is tracking apps like 222 and Real Roots that organize real-life meetups, and Autograph, a tool for preserving family stories.

by Sydney Bradley
See full article at Business Insider

See the top news on Gigi

Cerca Dating App Raises $1.6M to Match Singles Through Mutual Friends

Posted on June 20, 2025

Cerca logoBUSINESS INSIDER – Cerca is a new dating app founded by U.S. college students that connects users through mutual friends, aiming to create a safer, more intentional dating experience. Users see only four profiles daily and need five friends to join. The app raised $1.6M in seed funding from Corazon Capital, led by former Match Group CEO Sam Yagan. With over 20K users, Cerca emphasizes accountability, limited swipes, and in-person events to move dating beyond hookup culture.

by Sydney Bradley
See full article at Business Insider

See the top news on Cerca

This post also appears on InternetDatingInvestments.com

Bumble CEO Admits Growth Strategy Backfired as Revenue Drops 7.7%

Posted on May 9, 2025

Bumble Whitney Wolfe Herd Mar 2025BUSINESS INSIDER – Bumble reported a 7.7% drop in Q1 2025 revenue as founder Whitney Wolfe Herd, who returned as CEO in March, acknowledged the app lost its way by prioritizing growth over user experience. She cited an influx of low-quality profiles, poor matches, and a shift from word-of-mouth to performance marketing as key missteps. Bumble plans to cut ad spend, remove bad actors, and improve matching with AI. The company is trying to recover from a 90% stock decline since its 2021 IPO. Competitor Match Group also reported weak results, laying off 13% of its staff.

by Sydney Bradley
See full article at Business Insider

See the top news on Bumble

Dating App Sitch Raises $2M

Posted on April 24, 2025

Sitch iconBUSINESS INSIDER – Sitch, an AI matchmaking app, has raised $2M in pre-seed funding led by Andreessen Horowitz's accelerator A16z Speedrun. The startup launched in New York City in Nov 2024 and plans to expand to other U.S. cities. Sitch uses a matchmaker chatbot built on OpenAI, trained on hundreds of real-life introductions by cofounder Nandini Mullaji, a part-time matchmaker. Users answer detailed questions about values and dating preferences, then receive up to five curated matches per week. They pay upfront, with pricing tiers ranging from $90 (3 setups) to $160 (8 setups). If ghosted after a setup, users get a refund. Sitch is also rolling out voice-based AI features and hiring full-time staff post-Speedrun. It manually reviews new user applications for quality and safety.

by Sydney Bradley
See full article at Business Insider

See the top news on Sitch

This post also appears on InternetDatingInvestments.com

AI Takes Center Stage at GDI Online Dating Conference in New York

Posted on March 24, 2025

GDI conference logoBUSINESS INSIDER – At the Social Discovery and Dating Conference hosted by Global Dating Insights (GDI) in New York last week, AI was the central theme, with dating app founders and execs debating its role in the industry. Companies like Slide, Once, and Sitch discussed how large language models and AI agents could improve matching, safety, and user experience. Some startups, like the French app Gigi, are already experimenting with AI as a dating companion or assistant. While excitement around the potential is high, most speakers agreed that widespread user adoption of AI-driven features in dating apps is still a few years away.

by Sydney Bradley
See full article at Business Insider

Investors Bet on AI and Social Interaction to Shape the Future of Dating Apps

Posted on March 17, 2025

Sitch iconBUSINESS INDISTER – Venture capitalists are focusing on AI-driven dating startups as the next big opportunity in consumer tech. Investors are backing platforms that go beyond traditional swiping models, incorporating AI matchmaking and real-world social elements. French dating app Gigi uses an AI matchmaker, while Sitch applies AI to improve compatibility. Investors believe Gen Z is driving a shift toward dating apps that focus on community, real-world interactions, and shared interests rather than just appearance-based swiping. Some funds remain skeptical about the potential for billion-dollar exits in the dating space, but new models blending AI and social engagement continue to attract interest.

by Sydney Bradley
See full article at Business Insider

See the top news on Sitch

Left Field, a New Dating App, Launches in NYC With a Pokémon Go-style Approach

Posted on March 3, 2025

Left Field logoBUSINESS INSIDER – Left Field, a new dating app founded by Samantha Martin and Kate Sieler, aims to combat swipe fatigue by using location-based notifications instead of traditional swiping. When users cross paths with a potential match, they receive a push notification, allowing for more organic connections. Left Field currently has no paid features and is focused on college campuses, social media marketing, and live singles events to grow its user base. The app launched on the Apple App Store in February and plans to expand in May.

by Sydney Bradley
See full article at Business Insider

New Apps Challenge Swipe Fatigue and Traditional Models

Posted on February 17, 2025
Logo of the Sitch dating app

BUSINESS INSIDER – New dating apps are emerging as users grow tired of swiping, challenging industry giants like Tinder and Bumble. Startups are experimenting with alternatives, such as AI-powered matchmaking (Sitch), daily limited profile selections (Pique Dating), and in-person dating events. Some social networking apps like 222 and Posh also foster organic connections that can lead to romance. Even Big Tech, including Facebook and Instagram, is expanding its dating features. With Gen Z prioritizing broader social connections, the online dating landscape is evolving beyond traditional swipe-based models.

by Sydney Bradley
See full article at Business Insider

See the top news on Pique
See the top news on Sitch