Is Grindr for sale? Hook-up app reportedly looking for a buyer

There are reports that gay hook-up Grindr could be for sale.

Business news site Bloomberg cites a report from “people familiar with the matter” that Grindr has appointed Raine Group LLC to explore a potential sale of the business.

The hook-up app was started by entrepreneur Joel Simkhai in 2009, and has grown to be one of the largest dating apps in the world, with no outside investment.

However, the business is said to be looking for more than just networking at present – with reports that the company is “early into the process” of a sale.

It is not known how a potential sale of the app would impact users, though a new owner is unlikely to want to make drastic changes to the app’s business model.

A spokesperson for Grindr declined to comment.

Mr Simkhai recently said he was especially proud of the app’s use by communities in places where homosexuality is illegal.

He said: “It all happened organically. It’s illegal to be gay in over 70 countries in this world.

“Grindr in a lot of places is the unique place for gay men to meet eachother. There’s no gay bars, there’s no gay life.

“We’re very proud of that.”

• Nov 29 2023

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