Crunchbase Data Shows Low Investment in Dating Startups

An analysis of Crunchbase data from technology columnist Joanna Glasner has shown relatively low amounts of funding being directed into online dating.

Global venture investment in dating startups was $21 million in 2014, $47 million in 2016, $82 million in 2017 and $127 million in 2018. The number of investments per year averaged around 25.

While the trend is a positive one, investors are said to be “swiping left” on dating startups as a general rule.

2015 was an anomalous year, with China-based Baihe raising $250 million and skewing the figures.

The only US startup to disclose an investment of over $7 million in the past three years was Coffee Meets Bagel. Badoo Trading Ltd’s investment in Bumble is noted here as a likely second, though the precise amount put in by Andrey Andreev is not known.

Established brands have often fared better. Zoosk raised over $60 million during its heyday, but pulled an IPO after interest in the brand began to decline.

Gindr was recently purchased by Kunlun Tech for hundreds of millions, while Match bought OkCupid for around $50 million in 2011.

California brand eharmony exited via Parship in 2018. The deal was worth $85 million.

Read more here.