Category: FROME

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

Q&A With First Round’s On Me Founder & CEO Joe Feminella

Posted on January 27, 2025
A smartphone displaying the 'First Round's On Me' app logo on its screen, set on a reflective surface.

PULSE2 – Joe Feminella, the founder and CEO of First Round’s On Me (FROM), shared insights into his app, which is designed to encourage intentional, in-person dating.

Q: What’s your background?
A: After a career in finance, I pivoted to tech to create something impactful, which led to the concept of FROM.

Q: What inspired FROM?
A: In 2016/17, I noticed how dating apps felt unnatural. I wanted to combine tech with the organic way my parents met in person.

Q: What are the app’s key features?
A: FROM focuses on intentional dating: users send date requests, limit to one date per day, and chats open 24 hours before the date.

Q: What challenges have you faced?
A: Competing with established apps like Tinder and Bumble, but we focus on our mission instead of the competition.

Q: What milestones has FROM achieved?
A: 300K downloads, 10K completed dates, and $5M in funding, including $3M recently.

Q: What’s next for FROM?
A: We aim to expand internationally, reach 1M downloads, and become a broader social platform.

by Amit Chowdhry
See full article at Pulse2

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New L.A. Dating Apps Challenge Swipe Culture With Real-Life Meetups

Posted on November 14, 2024

FROM
LOS ANGELES TIMES – With younger daters losing interest in traditional swipe-based apps, new Los Angeles startups like First Round's on Me, Summer, Lox Club, and Feeld are creating alternatives focused on in-person interactions and community-based dating. These apps move away from endless swiping, instead encouraging real-life meetups and targeting niche communities. While large platforms like Tinder and Bumble still lead the market, their slowed growth has allowed smaller apps to attract users looking for fresh dating experiences.

by Caroline Petrow-Cohen
See full article at Los Angeles Times

See the top news on FROM                 See the top news on Summer
See the top news on Lox Club            See the top news on Feeld

First Round’s On Me Unveils New Ad Emphasizing Real-Life Connections

Posted on November 6, 2024

FROM adLITTLE BLACK BOOK – NM Talent Director Harry Guest has unveiled a campaign for the dating app First Round's On Me, promoting face-to-face meetings over online chats. The ad, directed by Guest, draws inspiration from classic movie romance scenes to highlight the app's focus on real-life connections, bypassing the "swipe culture" of modern dating apps.

See full article at Little Black Book

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Younger Daters Are Tired of Swiping

Posted on October 14, 2024

FROMLOS ANGELES TIMES – Younger users are growing tired of traditional dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge, leading to a shift in the online dating market. Startups in Los Angeles are offering alternatives that focus more on in-person connections and less on swiping. Apps like "First Round's on Me" encourage real-life meetups, while others, like Lox Club and Feeld, host social events to foster deeper connections. Gen Z is moving away from swipe-based models, preferring more intentional dating experiences. Although the major apps remain dominant, they face slowing growth, with Tinder and Bumble seeing declines in user engagement and revenue. Smaller, niche apps are emerging but often struggle to scale, with the likelihood of being bought out by larger companies. The industry remains profitable but stagnant, with innovation needed to reignite growth.

by Caroline Petrow-Cohen
See full article at Los Angeles Times

See the top news on FROM             See the top news on Lox Club
See the top news on Tinder            See the top news on Bumble

Dating Services Partner With Hyde, a Retail Tech Company, to Improve Men’s Styling

Posted on October 10, 2024

HYDENEWSWIRE – Dating services First Round's On Me (FROM), Three Day Rule (TDR), and Agape Matchmaking have partnered with Hyde, a D.C.-based Retail Tech company, to provide men with personalized styling advice and curated outfits through their apps. The goal is to help men feel more confident on dates and improve their online profiles by combining fashion expertise with AI technology. Hyde's research shows that style plays a crucial role in dating success, with 74% of women considering it important for second dates.

See full article at Newswire

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Dating App “First Round’s On Me” Launches Nationwide

Posted on September 9, 2024

FROME LA BUSINESS JOURNAL – First Round's On Me, a dating app that launched nationwide in late August 2024 with $5M in funding, differentiates itself by requiring users to schedule a date within 24 hours of matching. Founded by Joe Feminella and inspired by his own relationship, the app seeks to provide a more authentic dating experience.

by Keerthi Vedantam
See full article at LA Business Journal

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

Posted on August 26, 2024

FROME logo for social mediaAXIOS – 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

See the top news on FROME

This post also appears on InternetDatingInvestments.com

Dating App FROME Is Launching in New York

Posted on October 19, 2022

FROME logo for social mediaPR NEWSWIRE – After a launch in LA, the new dating and social networking app First Round's On Me (FROME) returns to New York City, where the idea originated. The app, designed to ensure users meet in person, is hosting hosting pop-up events with partners throughout Manhattan in Oct. These events will build up to the official NYC launch party on Nov 4 at 214 Lafayette. After creating their profile, users select "Available Today" or "Available This Week". Once users see someone they're interested in, they send a date request with a specific date, time, and location. If the recipient accepts, it's a date. Six hours before the date, a chat is available, giving users time to break the ice before meeting in person but not too much time where they turn into pen pals. The app raised $1M seed round.

See the top news at PR Newswire

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