The League

The League operates a niche mobile dating application engineered for individuals described as ambitious and career-focused. Founded in 2014 by Amanda Bradford, the company was born from her personal frustration with the existing online dating landscape. Bradford, leveraging an engineering degree from Carnegie Mellon and an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business, identified a market gap for a platform catering to successful singles seeking partners with similar drive. She personally coded the initial matching algorithm and built the company as a solo founder, raising $2.3 million in a 2015 seed round to fuel initial growth.

The platform's business model centers on exclusivity and curated matchmaking. Prospective users must apply for admission and are placed on a waitlist, where their professional and educational backgrounds are screened using data from LinkedIn and Facebook profiles. This vetting process, with an acceptance rate reportedly between 20-30%, aims to cultivate a community of like-minded, high-achieving individuals. Once accepted, users receive a limited batch of potential matches daily at 5 p.m., a feature designed to combat the swiping fatigue common on other apps. Revenue is generated through a freemium model; while basic access is available, users can purchase tiered subscriptions (Member, Owner, VIP) to unlock enhanced features like more daily prospects, profile boosts, and message read receipts. Additional revenue comes from à la carte purchases of "League Tickets" for specific actions.

A significant milestone in the company's history was its acquisition by Match Group in July 2022 for a reported $30 million. This integration provided The League with access to Match Group's extensive resources, including marketing expertise and enhanced user safety systems, allowing for a significant expansion of its dating pool. Post-acquisition, Bradford moved into a more strategic role, focusing on the app's long-term vision. The service has expanded to operate in numerous metropolitan areas worldwide and has introduced features beyond simple matching, such as video speed dating, interest-based groups, and a "GoalMates" function that connects users based on shared life ambitions.

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