Internet Dating Investments

Zee Media to Invest in Dating App Flutrr

YOUR STORY - Indian media company Zee Media is investing Rs 3.75 crore (~$450K) in Flutrr, a vernacular dating app, through its subsidiary Zee Akaash News, with the deal expected to close by the end of 2024. Flutrr, backed by investors such as the Times of India and The Chennai Angels, doubled its revenue in FY24 to Rs 2.5 crore ($300K) from Rs 0.99 crore ($120K) in FY23. The app, founded in 2021, uses a pay-per-use model and is approaching 1M downloads. It expects to achieve operational breakeven by the end of 2024.

by Akshita Toshniwal
See full article at Your Story

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FITFCK Exceeds Crowdcube Target, Raising Over £173K in One Month

OPW - FITFCK, a fitness-focused dating app, has surpassed its fundraising target on Crowdcube, raising £173K from 62 investors, 115% of its initial £150,000 goal, all within just one month. This is part of a larger funding round in which the company had already secured £154,500 prior to launching on Crowdcube. The funds will primarily go towards marketing and technology enhancements as the fitness-focused dating app continues to grow its exclusive community for fitness enthusiasts. Seven days remain for additional investments.

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Dating App Filteroff Acquired by Spark Networks

LINKEDIN - Zach Schleien, now VP of Marketing at Spark Networks, has announced that Filteroff, the video-first dating app he co-founded, has been acquired by Spark Networks, home to platforms like JDate, Christian Mingle, and Elite Singles. Launched just before the pandemic, Filteroff offers a healthier, more genuine way for singles to connect via video, avoiding the usual swiping and texting culture. With millions of users globally embracing this approach, the acquisition marks an exciting new chapter for the app under Spark Networks' umbrella.

See full article at LinkedIn

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Queer Social App Lex Acquired by the Former Musical.ly CEO's Conglomerate

TECH CRUNCH - Lex, a social and dating app for the LGBTQ+ community, has been acquired by 9count, a mobile app conglomerate led by former Musical.ly CEO Alex Hofmann. Founded in 2019 by Kell Rakowski, Lex originated from a popular Instagram page and focuses on providing a safe space for LGBTQ+ users. The acquisition will allow Lex to roll out new features faster and enhance content moderation. 9count, known for apps like Wink, aims to build niche social networks for specific communities rather than large-scale platforms. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

by Amanda Silberling
See full article at Tech Crunch

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Schmooze, an India-based AI-powered Dating App, Raises $4M

INC42 - Schmooze, a meme-based dating app from India, has raised $4M in a Series A funding round led by Elevation Capital. Founded in 2021, Schmooze matches users based on their meme preferences and sense of humor. The platform, which originally launched in the US before focusing on India, has attracted ~1M users in 10 months. The fresh capital will be used to enhance AI capabilities, scale user acquisition, expand content offerings, and target Tier II and III cities.

by Krithika K L
See full article at INC42

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AI-Driven YouMatch App Raises $1.5M

PRESS RELEASE - YouMatch, an AI-driven dating app within the Telegram ecosystem, secured $1.5M in seed funding led by IOI Capital, marking the first external investment for a Telegram app. Launched in early 2024, YouMatch uses AI facial recognition and psychological tools like the DISC model to offer personalized matchmaking based on compatibility and behavioral analysis. The app targets Gen Z, emphasizing mindful and deeper connections over traditional swiping. The funds will be used for expansion in Europe, the US, and MENA regions, as well as further product development.

See full article at Globe Newswire

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Spoony, a Startup for Neurodivergent People, Secures Funding

LINKEDIN - Global VC firm Antler has invested in Spoony, a community platform designed for neurodivergent, chronically ill, and disabled individuals. Spoony plans to leverage this support to accelerate product development and expand its global presence. With a major launch on iOS and Android approaching, the investment will also drive user acquisition, marketing, and strategic partnerships. Antler's Mike Abbott highlights Spoony's unique approach, blending social connection with health management, as well as its strong early engagement, with 30K users already on the waitlist.

See full article at LinkedIn

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Dating App First Round's On Me Raises $3M

AXIOS - The dating app First Round's On Me (FROME) has raised $3M in seed funding to expand its focus on in-person dating. Unlike traditional swipe-based apps, FROME requires users to suggest or plan a date when they match. Since its launch in 2020, the app has facilitated ~8K dates and 50 in-person events. Now preparing for a nationwide rollout, FROME aims to grow its user base through subscriptions, events, and a media network. The funding will be used for hiring, marketing, and expanding the app's functionality to include planning social events.

by Kerry Flynn
See full article at Axios

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Fuse App Introduces Collaborative Matchmaking With Friends and Family

BIZWOMEN - Elodie Clowes and Amanda Karr have launched Fuse, a matchmaking app that integrates friends and family into the dating process. Unlike traditional dating apps, Fuse allows users' close ones to participate in selecting potential matches. After launching a beta version, Fuse is now officially available in Philadelphia and aims to expand to other cities. With $830K in pre-seed funding, led by Nathan McCauley, co-founder of Anchorage Digital, Fuse plans to raise a $3M seed round this fall.

by Ryan Mulligan
See full article at BizWomen

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Former Clubhouse Employees Launch "Why?!", a New Social App to Combat Loneliness

TECH CRUNCH - Former Clubhouse employees Maya Watson and Lexi Nisita have launched why?!, a new social app combining messaging, networking, and dating features to address the "loneliness epidemic." The app, inspired by their professional experiences at Netflix and Clubhouse, aims to foster deep, trustworthy relationships through interactive elements like question card games and Facetime-like chats. Why?! recently secured $1.65M in pre-seed funding led by Precursor Ventures, with support from investors including Barclays Black Foundation and Clubhouse's CTO. Currently in private beta, the app plans to officially launch in the fall, with the team focused on expanding its engineering support as it grows.

by Dominic-Madori Davos
See full article at Tech Crunch

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