OPW – Match Group will host its first product event, SPARKS 2026: Start Something New, on March 12 at 2:00 p.m. EST. The event will feature keynote presentations from Tinder executives and outline upcoming feature updates and the company’s product roadmap. A live webcast will be available on Match Group’s investor relations website.
RTL TODAY – Crush is a new Luxembourg dating platform that requires users to meet at organised in-person events instead of chatting online. Founded by Tom Sawyer and Wesley Hourdequin, the platform vets every profile to ensure authenticity and focuses on safety and real-life interaction rather than swiping and anonymous messaging. Profiles are not publicly visible, and matches happen only at curated events attended by the founders.
FORBES – Former Hinge executives Sam Levy and Tim MacGougan have raised $8.5M in seed funding to launch Rodeo, an app designed to turn social media content into real-world plans. The app extracts details from links or screenshots, such as restaurant addresses or ticket information, and converts them into shareable calendar holds to help users make plans with friends. After a 20,000-user beta, Rodeo secured backing from Foundry, 359 Capital, and Oceans, and has grown through TikTok-driven marketing and creator partnerships. The company is not yet generating revenue but is exploring future monetization through partnerships with platforms like Ticketmaster and OpenTable or a potential freemium model.
TOP CLASS ACTIONS – Tinder has agreed to pay $60.5M to settle a class action lawsuit alleging it charged users over age 28 or 29 in California more than younger users for Tinder Plus and Tinder Gold subscriptions, in violation of state discrimination and unfair competition laws. The company denies wrongdoing but will compensate eligible California subscribers who paid higher age-based prices.
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BARCLAYS – 56% of Gen Z singles are prioritizing meeting a partner in-person as romance scams become more sophisticated. 66% of UK adults say AI tools are making online dating scams more difficult to detect, with 53% concerned about voice or image impersonation. Barclays claims data shows victims of romance scams lost £7k each on average in 2025, and 67% originated on dating sites and social media platforms.
Kirsty Adams, Fraud & Scams Expert at Barclays, shares her SAFE guidelines:
S – Stay on the platform
A – Ask someone you trust if something doesn’t feel right
F – Flag money requests
E – Exit safely and report if you have been asked for money or if something feels wrong
LINKEDIN – The latest episode of the Harvard Data Science Review Podcast explores how data science shapes modern dating, questioning whether algorithms optimize for lasting relationships or simply user engagement. Host Liberty Vittert Capito and guest co-host Miguel Paredes are joined by Amy Andersen of Linx Dating and Adam Cohen-Aslatei of Three Day Rule Matchmaking to examine the gap between what people say they want and what they need, the limits of swipe-based systems, the value of post-date feedback as data, and whether AI enhances matchmaking or risks oversimplifying human connection.
REUTERS – Grindr reported Q4 revenue of $126M, beating estimates, and expanded its share buyback program by $400M, sending shares up about 4% after hours. The company said it will remain publicly listed after reaching an 18-month standstill agreement with its largest shareholder, Ray Zage, following failed take-private talks last year. Grindr is doubling down on AI-driven growth through its proprietary “gAI” system and a new premium subscription tier called “Edge,” while maintaining a strong free product to attract younger users. For 2026, it plans heavier investment in technology upgrades and expansion into health and wellness services, projecting full-year revenue above $528M, roughly in line with expectations.
BUSINESS CLOUD – Dating app hati, founded in 2025 by Zaahirah Adam, secured a £150K investment from Steven Bartlett on Dragons’ Den despite generating just £48 in revenue at the time of filming. The app replaces text messaging with five-minute phone calls, uses voice and video profiles instead of static photos, and requires friend verification to reduce catfishing. Adam initially sought £150K for 5% (a £3M valuation), but after other Dragons declined over low traction and easy replicability, she agreed to give Bartlett 30% for the same investment.
NBC NEWS – Three Day Rule, a new matchmaking app, uses an AI-generated algorithm to pair clients. Wired reporter Molly Higgins shares her experience with NBC News’ Ellison Barber, outlining the service’s strengths, drawbacks, and what it could mean for the future of dating apps.