Hinge
New York, US · Founded 2011 · 6 known investors
Hinge is a dating app that helps people find relationships by having users build detailed profiles and answer prompts to spark conversations and matches. It focuses on facilitating real dates rather than maximizing app engagement.
Also known as Hinge
Founders & leadership
Hinge was founded in 2011 by Justin McLeod.
Board
Investors · 6
Reported raises · per SEC filings
Form D private placements$17.5M disclosed across 1 of 2 rounds · 2014–2026
▶$17.5MraisedDec 2014 · 55 investors · Other TechnologyRule 506(b)
- Andrew DunnDirector
- Justin McLeodExecutive Officer, Director, Promoter
- Tod FrancisDirector
- William LomickaDirector
- Offering amount
- $17.5M
- Amount sold
- $17.5M
- First sale
- Dec 2014
- Incorporated
- Corporation, Delaware, 2011
- Federal exemptions
- 06b
Source: SEC EDGAR Form D. Amounts as filed; amended filings shown once at their latest values.
Company profile
researched Aug 2026Hinge operates a mobile dating application positioned around helping users find long-term relationships, marketed with the tagline that it is "designed to be deleted." The product is built around user profiles and prompts that give daters a sense of each other's personality and provide openings for conversation, with the stated goal of producing real dates rather than prolonged app usage.
The company states that its matching system is based on a Nobel-Prize-winning algorithm. It also runs an internal research function, Hinge Labs, staffed with researchers, behavioral analysts, and matchmakers who study daters and compatibility in order to inform product changes. Hinge maintains a careers function and a newsroom publishing press releases, media coverage, and press kits.
Business model
Consumer-facing dating application distributed as a mobile app download.
▸Full profile — market position, technology, go-to-market
Market position
Competes in the consumer online dating app category, differentiating on relationship outcomes rather than time spent in the app.
Hinge frames itself against other dating apps by optimizing for effective dating rather than engagement or addictiveness, using profile prompts to give daters context and conversation starters, and applying internal compatibility research through Hinge Labs.
Technology
Matching is described as based on a Nobel-Prize-winning algorithm, supported by in-house research through Hinge Labs, which applies behavioral analysis and matchmaking expertise to compatibility and dater outcomes.
Go-to-market
Individuals seeking romantic relationships, including those looking for long-term partnerships and marriage.
Compiled by commissioned research from 1 cited public sources — announcements, filings, and press listed under research sources below.
In the news
Hinge Health (HNGE) Just Bought Its Way Into A New Market, So Now What?finance.yahoo.com · Aug 2026
Is Hinge Health Stock a Buy as Growth Accelerates and Risks Rise?finance.yahoo.com · Aug 2026▸Research sources · 1
primary sources listed
- Hingehinge.co · web
1 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What does Hinge do?
- Hinge is a dating app that aims to get users onto promising first dates rather than keep them in the app.
- Who founded Hinge?
- Hinge was founded by Justin McLeod in 2011.
- Who are Hinge's investors?
- Hinge's investors include 500 Global, Eniac Ventures, Fortify Ventures, Graph Ventures, Red Swan Ventures, Slow Ventures.
- How much funding has Hinge raised?
- Hinge has disclosed $17.5M raised across 1 of its 2 known rounds.
- Where is Hinge headquartered?
- Hinge is headquartered in New York, US.