Perry Street Software Acquires Gay Bear Dating App GROWLr From The Meet Group

Perry Street Software (PSS), the company behind gay dating apps SCRUFF and Jack’d, has acquired gay dating and community app GROWLr from The Meet Group. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. PSS plans to invest millions of dollars in GROWLr over the next several years.

GROWLr launched in 2010 and focuses on the gay Bear community and its admirers. The platform has nearly 500,000 daily users. With the acquisition, PSS says SCRUFF, Jack’d and GROWLr now reach more than 3 million monthly active members.

The Meet Group acquired GROWLr in 2019 when it bought Initech LLC, the company behind the app. It paid $11.8 million in cash, with up to another $2 million tied to revenue targets. At the time, GROWLr had more than 200,000 daily active users and was expected to generate around $5.3 million in annual revenue.

A major overhaul of GROWLr is planned for early 2027. It will include a new design, logo and profile pages, along with new ways to share content in chats. PSS plans to bring back Flashes, GROWLr’s disappearing photo feature, and expand its Shouts feature.

PSS wants to grow GROWLr beyond the app, with increased sponsorship of Bear events and Bear Weeks worldwide in 2027. The company plans to expand its social media presence and work with Bear community influencers. GROWLr will launch its first clothing collection in spring 2027, while a beta programme will open to members in the coming weeks.

Source: SCHWULISSIMO