Pepper
Alternative online dating site.
| Date | Investors | Amount | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| investor | €0.0 | round | |
| investor | €0.0 | round | |
| investor | €0.0 | round | |
| N/A | €62.5k | Seed | |
| Total Funding | 000k | ||
Pepper.nl is a Dutch online dating platform that was launched in 2011 by RTL Ventures, the investment branch of the media company RTL. The site was established as one of three new initiatives by RTL Ventures in 2011, alongside a mobile provider and a restaurant reservation system. The platform sought to differentiate itself in the competitive online dating market by allowing users to create more visually expressive profiles, incorporating photos, videos, and music clips. This feature-rich approach to user profiles was a key part of its initial positioning.
The business operates on a subscription-based model, where users pay for access to premium features, a common revenue model for traditional dating sites. While registration is free, communicating with other members and utilizing the full suite of tools requires a paid membership. The service is accessible via its website and through mobile apps available for both Android and iOS devices, catering to singles looking for connections. The platform functions by matching users based on mutual likes, after which they can engage in chat and communication.
In October 2016, after five years under the RTL umbrella, Pepper was acquired by MatchMedia B.V. MatchMedia, a company active in the dating industry since 2001, already operated niche dating sites such as match4me for higher-educated singles and 50plusmatch for those over fifty. The acquisition was part of a broader consolidation trend in the dating market. For MatchMedia, adding Pepper to its portfolio was seen as an ideal expansion due to its distinct market positioning. John Meuffels, the director of MatchMedia, was approached by RTL Ventures in the summer of 2016 about the potential takeover. At the time of the sale, Pepper was considered the third-largest player in the Dutch dating market.
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