Curtn
A location-based, video-first dating app that reinvents the way eligible daters discover and meet new people.
| Date | Investors | Amount | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | investor | €0.0 | round |
* | $430k | Angel | |
| Total Funding | 000k | ||
| USD | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Revenues | 0000 | 0000 |
| EBITDA | 0000 | 0000 |
| Profit | 0000 | 0000 |
| EV | 0000 | 0000 |
| EV / revenue | 00.0x | 00.0x |
| EV / EBITDA | 00.0x | 00.0x |
| R&D budget | 0000 | 0000 |
Source: Dealroom estimates
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Curtn is a video-first, location-based dating application that operated in the competitive online dating market, targeting Gen Z users. The company was founded in 2018 by CEO Brenden Strauss and CTO Benjamin Honig, with Lexi Strauss serving as VP of Marketing and Operations. The concept for the app stemmed from Brenden Strauss's own frustrations with online dating and a conversation Honig had with women who were dissatisfied with the inability to vet potential dates through video without compromising personal information. The platform was designed to address common issues in online dating like catfishing and misrepresentation by requiring users to create short video profiles directly within the app, preventing uploads from a device's camera roll.
The core service revolved around providing a more authentic and transparent dating experience. Users could explore profiles composed of short, user-generated videos and, upon matching, could communicate through both text and video chat directly on the platform. This end-to-end video experience was intended to give users a better sense of a potential match's personality before meeting in person. The app curated local matches based on user preferences and verified profiles to ensure users were interacting with real people. The business aimed to disrupt the static, photo-swiping model that had dominated the industry for a decade.
Curtn secured pre-seed funding, with one round in February 2019 raising approximately $425,000, which included investments from notable figures like former YC president Sam Altman. Grindr founder Joel Simkhai also served as an advisor to the company. The app was available for free on both iOS and Android devices. While the specific revenue model is not detailed, the online dating industry typically relies on freemium subscriptions, in-app purchases, and advertising. According to PitchBook, the company is now out of business.
Keywords: video dating, Gen Z dating, location-based dating, mobile dating app, online matchmaking, authentic dating, video profiles, safe dating, Brenden Strauss, Benjamin Honig, Joel Simkhai, Sam Altman, anti-catfishing, video chat dating, dating app safety, social connection app, mobile social networking, real human connection, digital dating, online interaction