The women-centered dating company is shrinking its paying base on purpose, rebuilding its app with AI and betting that fewer bad interactions can lead to more real dates.
One company sits behind Tinder, Hinge, Match and dozens of other apps. Here is how a portfolio of swipes became a $3.5 billion business - and why its next move is a bet on AI.
Relationship Hero is an on-demand coaching service that connects people with certified relationship coaches over chat, phone, or video - any hour of the day. Founded by Liron Shapira and Lior Gotesman and backed by Y Combinator, it turns a friend's late-night advice into a productized service, offering practical, in-the-moment guidance on dating, breakups, cheating, and marriage. The company reports coaching over 100,000 clients through a roster of 100+ coaches.
Coffee Meets Bagel is a relationship-focused dating app founded by Korean-American sisters Arum, Dawoon, and Soo Kang. Built on the idea that quality beats quantity, it serves curated daily matches rather than infinite swipes - aimed at people who want commitment, not entertainment.