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VCs have never really had an interest in dating startups. They summarize it nicely here: "Often they’re strategically mismatched. VCs look for a loyal, active,

by jmtame 10y ago

VCs have never really had an interest in dating startups. They summarize it nicely here: "Often they’re strategically mismatched. VCs look for a loyal, active, long-term user base, and dating apps tend to attract periodic, short-term users. Monetization is also a challenge, as paid apps have to compete with free ones. There also are few deep-pocketed acquirers with interest in the space."

chillacy 10y ago
There was an article awhile back about how ruthless the dynamics were for running a business. Basically whenever a user succeeds in finding a long term partner, they exit the platform, thus ending your revenue/engagement for that user. The better you are at matching, the worse your churn will be. This creates perverse incentives for paid apps which take a monthly revenue to keep users on a never ending treadmill.
kobeya 10y ago
There's probably room for a service that doesn't just match people up, but helps to manage the relationship indefinitely into the future. A sort of dating plus relationship coach. I am also reminded, more cynically, of letter writing in the movie Her.
- maxwell 10y ago
  This is why I think Facebook is ultimately "just" the most successful dating site/app. It matured from facilitating college hookups to sharing baby photos with family. It's the definitive place to find out that your co-worker got divorced, that your high school crush is single again, or that your ex moved across the country and got in amazing shape. The "relationship coach" is your audience of friends, family, colleagues, and acquaintances who see quite clearly how successful your romantic life is by what you (or your partner) share (or don't). I can't imagine many "matching" services/features that would make very good businesses. Unless exclusively focused on hookups, cheating, or escorts, but then naturally a harder pitch to investors.

by jmtame 10y ago

chillacy 10y ago

There was an article awhile back about how ruthless the dynamics were for running a business. Basically whenever a user succeeds in finding a long term partner, they exit the platform, thus ending your revenue/engagement for that user. The better you are at matching, the worse your churn will be. This creates perverse incentives for paid apps which take a monthly revenue to keep users on a never ending treadmill.

kobeya 10y ago

There's probably room for a service that doesn't just match people up, but helps to manage the relationship indefinitely into the future. A sort of dating plus relationship coach. I am also reminded, more cynically, of letter writing in the movie Her.

maxwell 10y ago
This is why I think Facebook is ultimately "just" the most successful dating site/app. It matured from facilitating college hookups to sharing baby photos with family. It's the definitive place to find out that your co-worker got divorced, that your high school crush is single again, or that your ex moved across the country and got in amazing shape. The "relationship coach" is your audience of friends, family, colleagues, and acquaintances who see quite clearly how successful your romantic life is by what you (or your partner) share (or don't). I can't imagine many "matching" services/features that would make very good businesses. Unless exclusively focused on hookups, cheating, or escorts, but then naturally a harder pitch to investors.