Gen Z’s “Readiness Paradox” | Bumble CPO exits | Grindr’s $120M plan

Match Group’s new term for why Gen Z won’t commit: “Readiness Paradox”

Match Group just released its Human Connection Study and coined a phenomenon plaguing Gen Z dating: the “readiness paradox.” 45% say they’re not ready for relationships while 75% aren’t in a hurry to find one, yet 51% report dating primarily to avoid loneliness. The culprit? Instagram’s “hard-launch” pressure where 81% treat posting a relationship as an ironclad commitment. Nearly 60% of Gen Z women believe therapy is essential before dating. Apparently, you need a degree in self-actualization before swiping right. https://fortune.com/2026/01/21/gen-z-readiness-paradox-match-group-report-social-media-loneliness/

Bumble’s CPO exits after one year—leadership restructuring continues

Michael Affronti has departed Bumble after just one year as Chief Product Officer. CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd announced the company will centralize Product, Engineering, and Design under one leader—Vivek Sagi. The move follows a string of executive departures since Herd’s return as CEO in March 2025. Bumble reported 16% decline in paying users last quarter. When the company that pioneered “women message first” can’t keep its own team together, maybe the algorithm needs a company-wide reboot. https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/bumble-chief-product-officer-reportedly-exits-amid-dating-platforms-return-to-growth-efforts/cmUxPaCR4QG

Grindr reveals $120M DTC expansion roadmap—wants to sell you everything

An internal Grindr strategy document shows plans for four direct-to-consumer businesses by 2028, targeting $120 million in additional revenue. After launching Woodwork (ED medications), the company eyes haircare, skincare, and “gayborhood expansion” into health and wellness. An AI-powered premium tier arrives late 2026. Grindr is essentially building an Amazon for gay men, except instead of “Customers also bought” it’s “Profiles also matched.” Full circle. https://www.aol.com/articles/grindrs-internal-product-road-map-104501412.html

HER launches “Sapphic Restart” campaign—community over swipes

Sapphic dating app HER opened 2026 with research showing 68% of queer women are “recalibrating” their dating approach rather than rushing back in. Unlike mainstream apps pushing January dating frenzies, 67% of HER users cite healing and emotional depth as primary motivations. The campaign includes OOH billboards in NYC and LA featuring “visceral metaphors for sapphic intimacy.” Marketing that actually reflects user psychology—novel concept. https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/411989/dating-app-her-opens-2026-with-the-sapphic-rest.html

Hinge founder exits billion-dollar app—bets on AI with Overtone

Fast Company profiled Justin McLeod’s 15-year journey building Hinge into a near-$1B revenue app, and why he’s stepping away. His concern: users might fall in love with AI chatbots instead of each other. New CEO Jackie Jantos takes over while McLeod launches Overtone, an AI-driven dating service backed by Match Group. The man who built “the app designed to be deleted” deleted himself. Progress. https://www.fastcompany.com/91448395/how-hinge-became-the-dating-app-for-people-who-hate-dating-apps

“Courted” app requires men to pre-pay for dates—internet has thoughts

TikTok influencer Mandy launched Courted, a dating app where men must deposit money for “date preparation costs” before meeting women. The concept sparked immediate backlash with critics calling it everything from innovative accountability to thinly-veiled transactional dating. The reviews are already in, and they’re exactly what you’d expect from the internet. The future arrived weird. https://www.msn.com/en-in/lifestyle/relationships/meet-mandy-the-influencer-behind-a-dating-app-where-men-pay-before-the-first-date/ar-AA1Urswc

Info-Edge invests ₹10 crore in dating platform Aisle amid losses

Indian tech conglomerate Info-Edge pumped ₹10 crore ($1.2M) into Aisle, the dating platform targeting serious relationships in India. The investment comes despite Aisle’s reported losses—a bet on the $300M Indian dating market projected to double by 2030. When the company behind Naukri.com backs a dating app, they’re connecting job seekers with life partners. Full service. https://www.whalesbook.com/news/English/tech/Info-Edge-Invests-indian-rupee10-Crore-in-Dating-Platform-Aisle-Amidst-Losses/696f3657ad039ca929a6eb50

Surf Dating becomes official dating app of Hyrox Americas

Niche dating app Surf Dating landed a partnership with Hyrox, the global fitness racing competition. The app targets outdoor enthusiasts and athletes looking for partners who share active lifestyles. Vertical dating apps continue proving there’s money in specificity—if you can find enough people who both surf and want to date other surfers. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/surf-dating-named-the-official-dating-app-partner-of-hyrox-americas-302658591.html

WedKnott secures funding for Dubai matchmaking expansion

UK-based matchmaking service WedKnott secured investment to expand operations into Dubai’s growing premium dating market. The company targets South Asian professionals seeking traditional matchmaking with modern technology. Middle East expansion continues as matchmaking services discover wealthy expat demand. https://www.globaldatinginsights.com/featured/wedknott-secures-investment-to-expand-dubai-matchmaking/

BC matchmaking service must refund man who didn’t find wife

A Canadian tribunal ruled that a British Columbia matchmaking service must partially refund a client after failing to deliver on promises. The man paid for premium matchmaking but received inadequate service. Legal precedent for matchmaking accountability—something dating apps wish they didn’t have to think about. https://www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/article/bc-matchmaking-service-must-partially-refund-man-who-didnt-find-wife-tribunal-says/

Coffee Meets Bagel CEO: Gen Z prioritizes financial stability over romance

Coffee Meets Bagel’s CEO told Business Insider that Gen Z users increasingly factor financial stability into dating decisions. The generation wants partners with good credit scores alongside good conversation. Dating apps are adjusting their prompts accordingly. Your 401(k) is now part of your dating profile. The math works. https://www.businessinsider.com/gen-z-dating-apps-coffee-meets-bagel-ceo-financial-stability-2025-12

Partiful adds “Mutuals” feature—party planning app enters dating adjacent space

Partiful, the party invitation app, introduced features letting users identify and flirt with mutual crushes at events. The feature blurs lines between social planning and dating apps. When your RSVP platform becomes a dating platform, you know the market is saturated. https://www.businessinsider.com/partiful-invites-flirt-with-your-crush-mutuals-dating-app-social-2026-1

Breeze dating app wants singles to “dive off into real life dating”

Australian dating app Breeze, backed by CloudFactory, focuses on getting users offline quickly. The app limits profile information to force faster real-world meetings. The “less is more” thesis applied to dating profiles—a direct response to paralysis-by-analysis on other platforms. https://www.thestable.com.au/cloudfactory-dating-app-breeze-wants-singles-to-dive-off-into-real-life-dating/

Parship study reveals how German singles want to date in 2026

Parship released research on German dating preferences for 2026, showing emphasis on authenticity and clear communication. The study reflects broader European trends toward intentional dating over casual swiping. https://www.parship.de/studien/neues-jahr-neue-dates-so-mochten-singles-2026-daten/

Meet7 raises $2.9M seed round for Indian dating platform

Indian dating platform Meet7 secured ₹24 crore ($2.9M) in seed funding from Z1n Capital. The platform targets India’s growing urban dating market. India continues attracting dating app investment as the world’s largest unmarried population goes digital. https://www.siliconindia.com/startup/startup-funding/dating-platform-meet7-has-raised-rs-24-crore-in-a-seed-funding-round-from-z1n-capital-nwid-38623.html

This digest was compiled by Dating Pro — the platform helping entrepreneurs build successful dating businesses since 2003.