GDI New York 2025: Full Agenda Released!
The Global Dating Insights (GDI) Conference is back, bringing together the brightest minds in the online dating and social discovery industry to discuss the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future.
From monetization strategies and investment opportunities to safety, privacy and more, this year’s conference promises to deliver unparalleled insights into the world of digital romance. It takes place at Etc. Venues, 601 Lexington Avenue, from 10am to 4pm on Wednesday, March 19th.
A huge thank you to our event sponsors, Adapty, Funnelfox, exHuman AI, CharismaCheck and Checkr.
Tickets to GDI’s New York Conference will remain on sale until the day of the event. Click here to buy yours via Eventbrite. Additionally, any companies which would like additional branding and awareness can email sam.bromley@iigroup.global for all enquiries relating to sponsorship opportunities.
Key speakers this year include:
- Adam Medros, CEO Spark
- Karima Ben Abdelmalek CEO Happn
- David Vermulan, CEO Inner Circle
- Spokesperson tbc ParshipMeet
- Carsten Boeltz, CEO, InSparx
- Ross Williams, Consultant
- Muhammad Arafat, CTO and Co-Founder, Charisma Check
- Bill Alena, Consultant
- Erik Hutton, Founder & CFO, Purr
- Aryavrat Goenka, CEO, UrbanMatch
- Sam Lukens, COO, Hatched
- Mitch Alterman, CEO, Hatched
- Hari Gopal, Founder, Hearts Dating
- Ethan Martin, CEO, Slide App
- Mark Brooks, President, IDEA & CEO, Courtland Brooks
- Mary Richardson, CEO & Co-Founder, bindr
- Brandon Teller, CTO & Co-Founder, bindr
- Michael O’Sullivan, CEO, Hubstars
- Colin Hodge, Founder, Down App
- Nicky Wake, Founder, Chapter 2 Dating
- Gareth Johnson, CMO, Gaydar
- Christian Mercer-Hall, Founder, Positive +1
- Isobel Angell, Senior Associate, Ofcom
- Mark Sclosser, Head of Customer Success, Checkr
- Brie Temple, Chief Commercial Officer, Tawkify
- Christof Wittig, CEO, Hornet
- Heather Hopkins, CEO Hulah
A Data-Driven Industry Forecast
Kicking off the event, Mark Brooks, President of IDEA & CEO of Courtland Brooks, presents a comprehensive analysis of the online dating industry’s projected growth. With 2025 set to bring new monetization opportunities, understanding key trends will be crucial for industry leaders looking to capitalize on shifting user behaviors and emerging technologies.
Funding Love: The Investment Landscape
Securing funding remains a major challenge for startups in the dating and social discovery space. A dynamic panel debate, moderated by Bill Alena, delves into the strategies for raising capital, featuring insights from founders and executives of leading platforms like Purr, UrbanMatch, Hatched, Hearts Dating, and Slide App. With competition fiercer than ever, understanding investor priorities and market positioning is essential.
Balancing Privacy & Security in Background Checks
As online safety becomes an increasing priority, how can platforms ensure user security without compromising privacy? Muhammad Arafat, CTO and Co-Founder of Charisma Check, explores the challenges of background checks in dating apps, highlighting the fine line between protecting users and safeguarding personal data.
Learning from the Giants: The Business of Love
What can emerging dating platforms learn from industry veterans? A stellar panel featuring executives from Spark, Happn, Inner Circle, ParshipMeet, and InSparx discusses how major players have transformed the online dating landscape into a multi-billion-dollar business. Moderated by Ross Williams, this session promises invaluable lessons in scaling, branding, and sustained user engagement.
Driving Growth: Content, Product-Market Fit, and Strategic Distribution
Mary Richardson and Brandon Teller, Co-Founders of Bindr, explore the pillars of sustainable growth in online dating. From content moderation and ensuring product-market fit to leveraging organic distribution, this session focuses on what it takes to thrive in an increasingly competitive market.
The Evolution of Casual Dating
The dating landscape is shifting, and casual dating is emerging as a dominant force. Olga Petrunina, CEO of Pure, delves into how modern preferences are redefining traditional matchmaking and what it means for the future of online romance.
The Power of Precision: How Niche Apps Build Deeper Connections
Personalization is becoming the key to meaningful connections. A panel moderated by Hub Stars Michael O’Sullivan brings together niche dating app leaders from Down App, Chapter 2 Dating, Gaydar, and Positive +1 to discuss how specialized platforms cater to specific audiences and why niche dating is a powerful force in 2025.
Tackling Online Gender-Based Violence
Technology plays a crucial role in making online spaces safer. A high-impact panel led by Isobel Angell from Ofcom, featuring experts from Checkr, Tawkify, Hornet, and Hulah, explores how dating platforms can prevent gender-based violence and enhance user protection through AI, content moderation, and policy enforcement.
Shaping the Future of Online Dating
The GDI Conference 2025 provides a platform for industry leaders to exchange ideas, tackle pressing challenges, and explore new opportunities. As online dating continues to evolve, the insights shared at this event will shape the future of digital relationships and ensure safer, more engaging, and more profitable platforms for years to come.
Tickets to GDI’s New York Conference will remain on sale until the day of the event. Click here to buy yours via Eventbrite.
