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Dating apps have taken off in the new millennium, making headway as the fastest, easiest way to connect with a potential lover or friend. Behind each dating app is a founder who made their fortunes. From Bumble to the OG of online dating, we name out 7 people who made their fortunes through dating apps, worth ranked.
Daniel Gendelman, Raya, $1.3 million
Daniel Genderlman developed an intriguing and very private dating app, Raya, which is known as the "Tinder for A-listers." At 36 years old, Genderlman is reported by Networth Post to be worth $1.3 million dollars. Raya is extremely exclusive and not everyone can get onto the app, as you have to be invited by a friend and then have your profile approved by the app via them scanning your social media.
Launched in 2015, this dating app has purposely flown under the radar as it has become known for celebrities to mainly use the site. Some celebrities that have reported to use Raya are Channing Tatum, Chelsea Handler, Demi Lovato, among many others, as reported by Us Weekly.
If you can get off of Raya's insanely long waitlist, it's a $7.99 flat rate to join.
Gary Kremen Peng, Match, $3.11 million
It was 1995 and only 5% of Americans had internet access when Gary Kremen launched Match.com. “Match.com will bring more love to the planet than anything since Jesus Christ," he announced during his first press conference, according to Business Insider. In 1996, Kremen left Match but remained on the board. While he is no longer on the Match team, he earned $50,000 from his sale of Match and since earned fortunes through various stock trades.
Perhaps you can't think of the journey of online dating without being reminded of Match.com. Since its early 90's launch, the dating app has come quite far; releasing a mobile app in 2010. Match has since bought other dating sites such as OkCupid and OurTime.
Match offers two standard plan options for an optimal online dating experience.
David Vermeulen, Inner Circle, $20 million
Launched in Amsterdam in 2012, David Vermeulen, along with Serge Samusya and Michael Krayenhoff, founded the dating app Inner Circle. Vermeulen's reported net worth by Celebrity Networth is $20 million dollars. He is still the CEO of the multi-million dollar company.
The Inner Circle was created as a global dating platform for inspiring singles with similar backgrounds and interests to come together. The app's appeal is for those who are interested in not swiping, but being serious; to form a real connection in real life.
For $39.99 a month, Inner Circle's full membership offers invisible among many other features. It is free to create an account.
Kelly Steckelberg, Zoosk, $255 million
Kelly Steckelberg took over as Zoosk CEO in 2014. She ranked #78 on Forbes list of 2020 America's Self-Made Women Net Worth. Steckelberg was to thank for the app's high success and in 2017, and she parted from the company due to personal reasons.
The Zoosk dating app has taken off since its 2007 launch, with being available in more than 80 countries and 25 languages. The Zoosk website dubs it as the #1 grossing online dating app in the Apple App Store.
The payment for Zoosk is free for seven days, and then a one-month subscription will cost you $29.99.
Joel Simkhai, Grindr, $100 million
In 2009, Joel Simkhai launched Gridr to selfishly meet more men. Now, Grindr is used by gay, bi, trans, and queer people to find love and is known as the largest and most popular gay app in the world. That isn't where Simkhai stopped at dating apps. In 2010, he launched Blendr, which focused on connecting like-minded people together.
Simkhai's fortunes were reported by Celebrity Networth at an astounding $100 million. He sold the majority of Grindr to a Chinese gaming company for $250 million in 2018.
Grindr is free to use, with its premium membership for $49.99 per month.
Whitney Wolfe Herd, Bumble, $1.5 billion
Whitney Wolfe Herd has recently made headlines as becoming the second-youngest woman to take a company public at the age of 31. That's not all-- due to the recent influx of Bumble's shares soaring, Wolfe Herd has become the world’s youngest self-made woman billionaire, as reported by Forbes.
The Bumble dating app launched in 2014. Only female users can make the first contact, which has been the primary spark that has made the dating app so appealing to women. Bumble has grown tremendously and has expanded from dating to networking and friendship. The privacy and safety of the app are also very appealing.
Bumble is free to use but at a starting price of $20 a month, you can experience the premium advantages of the popular dating app.
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Sources: Forbes, Celebrity Networth, Zoosk, Business Insider, Networth Post
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