WeRoad Raises $58M From Airbnb, Brings WeMeet Social Events Platform to the U.S.

Posted on June 9, 2026
Logo of WeRoad

TECH CRUNCH – Milan-based company WeRoad has raised $58M in a Series C round led by Airbnb as it prepares to expand into the U.S., starting with Austin. The company generated €130M ($148M) in revenue in 2025 and took ~100K travelers on group trips. In 2025, WeRoad also launched WeMeet, an app focused on local in-person gatherings such as dinners, hikes, yoga classes, running groups, after-work drinks, and board game nights. ~50K people attended WeMeet events across 35 cities last year, while the app reached 150K downloads. WeRoad says WeMeet will play a central role in its U.S. expansion strategy, helping it build local communities before expanding further.

See full article at Tech Crunch

Mark Brooks: This is one to watch. We Road runs great escapes. We Meet is their social play. It’s proving more challenging than they thought to get the social play up and running.

The Dating Industry Growth Team

Posted on June 9, 2026

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Hinge CEO Says Gen Z Needs AI to Start Conversations

Posted on June 8, 2026
Hinge CEO Jackie Jantos

BBC – Jackie Jantos says many Gen Z singles want relationships but lack the confidence to initiate conversations, making AI tools useful for breaking the ice. She argues Hinge’s AI features are designed to help users express themselves rather than replace genuine interaction. Jantos also pointed to declining in-person socialization, loneliness, and the lasting effects of the pandemic as factors making dating more challenging for young adults. Despite growing discussion of dating app burnout, Hinge continues to grow in the UK, reaching 1.5M users.

See full article at BBC

Matchmaking Sees Resurgence as Dating Apps Struggle

Posted on June 8, 2026
matchmaker at work

TABLET – Matchmaking is thriving despite the rise of dating apps. The number of matchmakers registered with the Global Love Institute has grown from ~1K to ~10K in the past six years, as more singles turn to personalized matchmaking services. Once a niche profession, matchmaking now serves a broad range of clients and interests. However, many matchmakers say today’s singles have become more difficult to match, with changing expectations and attitudes toward dating and relationships.

See full article at Tablet

Gen Z Says We’re in a ‘Crush Recession’

Posted on June 8, 2026
crush recession

VICE – A growing number of Gen Z singles say they have lost enthusiasm for dating. Experts point to dating app fatigue, financial stress, fear of rejection, social isolation, and hookup culture as key reasons. Many young people feel disconnected from romance and are less optimistic about finding relationships than previous generations.

See full article at Vice

Interview With Grindr CEO George Arison

Posted on June 8, 2026
Grindr CEO George Arison

BLOOMBERG – Grindr CEO George Arison said the company is evolving beyond dating to become a “global gayborhood,” as the platform continues to expand its role in helping users connect for relationships, friendships, and community. Arison said Grindr has delivered ~25% annual growth over the last four years and claimed that 50% of gay relationships now start on the app. He also said attitudes toward long-term relationships are changing, with more gay men seeking serious relationships than in previous years. According to Grindr’s research, more than half of gay men under 35 say they want a long-term relationship, while 25% want children, a shift he attributed in part to the growing recognition of same-sex marriage. Arison highlighted AI as a major investment area for the company and said 80% of Grindr’s code is now generated by AI. He also discussed the role Grindr plays in countries where LGBTQ+ people face restrictions.

Watch the interview

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Posted on June 8, 2026
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OPW – We’re dedicated to providing you with quality daily executive summaries and intelligence. Subscribe here, and send to a friend. We find news and info that will help make you smarter and help you make better informed decisions. Online Personals Watch has been run by the Courtland Brooks team since 2004.

15M Grindr Users’ Data Put up for Sale on Dark Web

Posted on June 4, 2026
Grindr

DS DIGITAL SHIELD – A hacker claims to be selling a database containing information on ~15 M Grindr users. The data is said to include names, email addresses, account details, location data, physical attributes, sexual orientation, gender, date of birth, and HIV-related information. The alleged database is being offered for $400 on a dark web forum. The claims have not been independently verified, and Grindr had not publicly commented at the time of publication.

See full article at DS Digital Shield

DatingBuzz, South African Dating Site, Denies Breach

Posted on June 4, 2026
Logo of DatingBuzz

MYBROADBAND – DatingBuzz, one of South Africa’s largest dating sites, has denied claims that its systems were breached after a hacker forum post alleged that ~670K user records were being offered for sale. DatingBuzz operator DatingLab said it was unaware of any breach and noted that the alleged dataset contained fields and features not used by its platform. The claims could not be verified, and cybersecurity experts suggested the post may have been generated using AI as part of a growing trend of fake data leak listings.

See full article at MyBroadband

Hello Group Reports $49M Profit on $353M Revenue in Q1 2026

Posted on June 3, 2026
Logo of Hello Group

SEEKING ALPHA – Hello Group reported Q1 revenue of RMB 2.39B ($353M) and a profit of RMB 328.8M ($49M). The company expects Q2 revenue of RMB 2.45B – 2.55B ($362M – $377M) and maintains its target of reaching RMB 3B ($444M) in overseas revenue this year. Management said domestic results continue to be affected by tax-related pressures, while overseas growth remains on track despite recent challenges in Turkey and the Middle East. The company is also continuing to roll out new AI and social discovery features across Momo and Tantan.

See full article at Seeking Alpha