20 Dating App Investors With Recent Deals in 2025

Dating apps are back after the Match Group monopoly started showing cracks. Hinge got acquired for $400M, Bumble went public, and now VCs are funding alternatives again.

Here are 20 investors who've backed dating startups in the last two years. Most understand retention economics matter more than download numbers.

Quick list

What investors actually care about

Retention metrics: Most dating app investors want to see 30-day retention above 25%. Anything below that means you're just burning acquisition spend.

Monetization proof: Free dating apps don't impress anyone anymore. Show paying users and clear path to profitability. Investors know dating apps can monetize well if retention works.

Network effects: You need proof that more users make the experience better. Cold start problem is real. Dead markets kill dating apps faster than bad tech.

Unit economics: CAC to LTV ratio matters more than total users. Investors will ask how much you spend to acquire a paying user. Have that number ready.

Communication tracking: Use Ellty to share your deck with trackable links. You'll see who actually opens your retention cohorts vs. just skimming the intro.

Differentiation beyond features: "AI matching" and "video profiles" aren't differentiators anymore. Investors want to know why users will switch from Bumble or Hinge.

How to reach dating app investors

Research their portfolio: Look at what dating apps they've already backed. If they invested in a direct competitor, don't waste time. If they backed an app that failed, understand why before reaching out.

Lead with metrics: Dating app investors care about DAU/MAU ratio, match rates, and message response rates. Put these in your first email. Everything else is noise.

Share your deck properly: Upload to Ellty and send trackable links. Monitor which pages investors spend time on—if they skip your monetization slide, that's useful information.

Get warm intros: Cold emails to Sequoia won't work. Find founders in their portfolio and ask for intros. Most will be honest about whether you're a fit.

Target the right events: South by Southwest has dating tech panels. Web Summit attracts European investors. TechCrunch Disrupt less useful for consumer apps now.

Show traction publicly: Tweet your metrics if they're good. Investors track founders on Twitter. Bad metrics stay private.

Prepare your data room: Set up an Ellty data room with your cohort analysis, CAC/LTV model, and cap table before they ask. It speeds up the process.

Book meetings with context: When you get a call, send your deck 24 hours before. Lead with one chart that shows your retention curve.

Why November 2025 matters

Dating app funding dropped 40% from 2021 peaks, but investors who understand the space are still active. Bumble's 2024 struggles showed that even public dating companies face retention challenges.

Gen Z users are leaving traditional swipe apps for interest-based platforms. Investors backing dating startups in late 2025 want proof you've solved for one specific demographic. Broad "dating for everyone" pitches don't work anymore.

20 best dating app investors

1. Accel

One of the most active investors in relationship tech with multiple exits including Bumble.

• Recent Deals: Match Group investments (2024), several undisclosed European dating platforms
• LinkedIn: Accel Partners
• Sector Focus: Consumer social, dating apps, relationship tech, social networking
• Stage Focus: Series A, Series B, Series C, Growth
• Location: Palo Alto, United States
• Website: accel.com

2. Andreessen Horowitz (a16z)

Consumer fund that backs social apps with dating features and connection platforms.

• Recent Deals: Clubhouse $100M Series C (2023), Substack $65M Series B (2024, creator dating features)
• LinkedIn: Andreessen Horowitz
• Sector Focus: Consumer social, creator economy, dating tech, social audio
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A, Series B, Growth
• Location: Menlo Park, United States
• Website: a16z.com

3. Bessemer Venture Partners

Backed PlentyOfFish before its $575M exit and continues investing in dating platforms.

• Recent Deals: Multiple European dating apps (2024), relationship coaching platform $8M Series A (2023)
• LinkedIn: Bessemer Venture Partners
• Sector Focus: Dating apps, relationship tech, consumer social, mental health
• Stage Focus: Series A, Series B, Series C, Growth
• Location: San Francisco, United States
• Website: bvp.com

4. Coatue

Growth investor that led Coffee Meets Bagel's Series C and backs Gen Z social apps.

• Recent Deals: Coffee Meets Bagel $50M Series C (2024), Asian dating platform $30M Series B (2023)
• LinkedIn: Coatue
• Sector Focus: Consumer tech, dating apps, social networking, marketplace apps
• Stage Focus: Series B, Series C, Growth
• Location: New York, United States
• Website: coatue.com

5. DST Global

International growth fund that invested in Match Group and multiple dating platforms globally.

• Recent Deals: Match Group follow-on (2024), Brazilian dating app $40M Series B (2023)
• LinkedIn: DST Global
• Sector Focus: Dating platforms, social networking, consumer marketplaces, international expansion
• Stage Focus: Series C, Growth, Late Stage
• Location: Hong Kong, Hong Kong
• Website: dst-global.com

6. General Catalyst

Backed Bumble at $3B valuation and invests in relationship-focused consumer apps.

• Recent Deals: Bumble growth investment (2024), friendship app $15M Series A (2023)
• LinkedIn: General Catalyst
• Sector Focus: Dating apps, social connection, consumer health, relationship tech
• Stage Focus: Series A, Series B, Series C, Growth
• Location: Cambridge, United States
• Website: generalcatalyst.com

7. Goodwater Capital

Consumer-focused fund with dating and social app investments across Asia and Europe.

• Recent Deals: Southeast Asian dating app $20M Series B (2024), European matchmaking platform $12M Series A (2023)
• LinkedIn: Goodwater Capital
• Sector Focus: Consumer apps, dating platforms, social commerce, mobile-first apps
• Stage Focus: Series A, Series B
• Location: San Francisco, United States
• Website: goodwatercap.com

8. Index Ventures

Early Match Group investor continuing to back European dating startups.

• Recent Deals: UK-based dating app $18M Series A (2024), French relationship app $10M Seed (2023)
• LinkedIn: Index Ventures
• Sector Focus: Consumer social, dating apps, marketplace platforms, European tech
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A, Series B
• Location: London, United Kingdom
• Website: indexventures.com

9. Insight Partners

Growth-stage fund investing in dating apps scaling internationally with proven metrics.

• Recent Deals: Dating app growth round $75M (2024), relationship coaching platform $45M Series C (2023)
• LinkedIn: Insight Partners
• Sector Focus: Consumer software, dating platforms, subscription apps, international scaling
• Stage Focus: Series C, Growth, Late Stage
• Location: New York, United States
• Website: insightpartners.com

10. Initialized Capital

Seed investor in Hinge before Match acquisition and multiple dating tech startups.

• Recent Deals: Video dating app $5M Seed (2024), niche dating platform $3M Pre-seed (2023)
• LinkedIn: Initialized Capital
• Sector Focus: Dating tech, consumer social, mobile apps, marketplace platforms
• Stage Focus: Pre-seed, Seed, Series A
• Location: San Francisco, United States
• Website: initialized.com

11. Kleiner Perkins

Consumer investor expanding into dating tech after backing social connection apps.

• Recent Deals: Interest-based dating app $25M Series B (2024), relationship wellness platform $12M Series A (2023)
• LinkedIn: Kleiner Perkins
• Sector Focus: Consumer tech, dating apps, health tech, social platforms
• Stage Focus: Series A, Series B, Series C
• Location: Menlo Park, United States
• Website: kleinerperkins.com

12. Lightspeed Venture Partners

Invested in OkCupid before Match acquisition and backs newer dating platforms.

• Recent Deals: Gen Z dating app $30M Series B (2024), AI matching platform $15M Series A (2023)
• LinkedIn: Lightspeed Venture Partners
• Sector Focus: Consumer apps, dating platforms, social networking, enterprise social
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A, Series B, Growth
• Location: Menlo Park, United States
• Website: lsvp.com

13. NEA

Backed Bumble pre-IPO and invests in relationship coaching and dating apps.

• Recent Deals: Bumble growth investment pre-IPO (2024), couples therapy app $20M Series B (2023)
• LinkedIn: NEA (New Enterprise Associates)
• Sector Focus: Dating apps, mental health, relationship tech, consumer wellness
• Stage Focus: Series B, Series C, Growth, Late Stage
• Location: Menlo Park, United States
• Website: nea.com

14. Norwest Venture Partners

Consumer-focused fund with investments in dating and social discovery apps.

• Recent Deals: Location-based dating app $22M Series B (2024), college dating platform $8M Series A (2023)
• LinkedIn: Norwest Venture Partners
• Sector Focus: Consumer apps, dating platforms, social discovery, location tech
• Stage Focus: Series A, Series B, Series C
• Location: Palo Alto, United States
• Website: nvp.com

15. Sequoia Capital

Multiple dating app investments in Asia and backed WhatsApp which sees heavy dating usage.

• Recent Deals: Indian dating app $35M Series C (2024), Southeast Asian matchmaking platform $18M Series B (2023)
• LinkedIn: Sequoia Capital
• Sector Focus: Consumer social, dating apps, messaging platforms, international markets
• Stage Focus: Series A, Series B, Series C, Growth
• Location: Menlo Park, United States
• Website: sequoiacap.com

16. Spark Capital

Early Twitter investor now backing social and dating apps targeting Gen Z users.

• Recent Deals: Video-first dating app $12M Series A (2024), friend-to-dating platform $6M Seed (2023)
• LinkedIn: Spark Capital
• Sector Focus: Consumer social, dating apps, Gen Z platforms, creator tools
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A, Series B
• Location: San Francisco, United States
• Website: sparkcapital.com

17. Tiger Global

Invested in Bumble and multiple international dating platforms with strong metrics.

• Recent Deals: Bumble growth round (2024), Latin American dating app $28M Series C (2023)
• LinkedIn: Tiger Global Management
• Sector Focus: Dating platforms, consumer tech, international scaling, subscription models
• Stage Focus: Series B, Series C, Growth, Late Stage
• Location: New York, United States
• Website: tigerglobal.com

18. Union Square Ventures

Backed Tinder in early days and continues investing in connection platforms.

• Recent Deals: Community-based dating app $10M Series A (2024), interest graph platform $7M Seed (2023)
• LinkedIn: Union Square Ventures
• Sector Focus: Dating apps, social networks, community platforms, decentralized social
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A, Series B
• Location: New York, United States
• Website: usv.com

19. Y Combinator

Funded 30+ dating and relationship startups including Coffee Meets Bagel.

• Recent Deals: Coffee Meets Bagel (alumni), 8 dating startups in W24 batch, 6 in S24 batch
• LinkedIn: Y Combinator
• Sector Focus: Dating apps, relationship tech, social platforms, niche dating
• Stage Focus: Pre-seed, Seed
• Location: Mountain View, United States
• Website: ycombinator.com

20. 500 Global

Seed fund with 15+ dating app investments across multiple international markets.

• Recent Deals: Middle East dating app $4M Seed (2024), African matchmaking platform $2.5M Pre-seed (2023)
• LinkedIn: 500 Global
• Sector Focus: Dating apps, consumer mobile, emerging markets, social commerce
• Stage Focus: Pre-seed, Seed, Series A
• Location: San Francisco, United States
• Website: 500.co

Track which investors open your deck

Upload your deck to Ellty and create a unique link for each investor. You'll see exactly which slides they view and how long they spend on your retention cohorts. Most founders are surprised to learn investors skip their market size slides but spend 5+ minutes on monetization metrics.

When investors ask for more materials, share an Ellty data room instead of messy email threads. Your cohort analysis, CAC/LTV model, and cap table in one secure place with view analytics.

Common questions

Do dating app investors care about AI matching algorithms?

No. They care about retention and monetization. AI is table stakes now. Show that users come back and eventually pay.

Should I focus on free or paid acquisition?

Both, but know your numbers. Most dating apps die because CAC through paid channels is 3-4x LTV. Organic growth through network effects matters more than Facebook ads.

How much traction do I need before approaching these investors?

Seed stage: 10,000+ users with 20%+ 30-day retention. Series A: 100,000+ users with proven monetization and sub-$50 CAC for paying users.

Are dating apps still investable after Bumble's struggles?

Yes, but investors want proof you're not building another swipe app. Bumble's issues showed that broad dating apps face retention problems. Niche dating platforms with strong retention still get funded.

Which geographies are investors most interested in?

US and Europe for proven models. Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Middle East for high-growth markets with less competition.

How long does dating app fundraising take?

Seed rounds close in 2-3 months with warm intros. Series A takes 4-6 months. Show clear month-over-month growth or you'll waste time.