EME Hive

EME Hive, initially launched as EastMeetEast in 2013, operates as a specialized social platform targeting the Asian diaspora in North America and other English-speaking regions. The company was founded by serial entrepreneur Mariko Tokioka. Tokioka, who holds an MBA from Oxford University, was inspired by her own experience as a single Japanese woman struggling to find a partner with a similar cultural background on mainstream dating sites, which often categorized all Asians into a single group. Before starting EME Hive, she co-founded the e-learning app Quipper, which was sold in 2015.

The firm's primary offering is a mobile application that integrates dating services with social live streaming, creating a multifaceted community space. The platform is engineered to serve individuals of Asian descent in their 20s and 30s seeking friendships and serious relationships. Its proprietary matching algorithm differentiates it from competitors by incorporating detailed, culturally-specific criteria. These filters include a user's ethnicity, languages and dialects spoken, and the age at which they immigrated, allowing for more nuanced connections than what is available on broader platforms.

The business operates on a freemium model. While basic functionalities like creating a profile and browsing are available for free, revenue is generated through premium subscriptions. These subscriptions unlock advanced features such as unlimited messaging, viewing who has expressed interest in your profile, and read receipts. An additional revenue stream comes from a virtual currency called 'Diamonds,' which users can purchase to send virtual gifts to others, particularly within the live streaming feature. This live streaming component allows users to broadcast themselves, participate in group video chats with up to four people, and engage with community events, adding a layer of real-time interaction and user verification.

Keywords: Asian dating, social live streaming, community platform, freemium model, cultural matching, mobile application, subscription service, virtual currency, relationship-focused, diaspora market