The most divisive topic in the dating app world right now: AI
AI's impact on dating apps was a focal point of a dating app conference. Some were excited about the potential of AI agents but others were skeptical.
Sydney Bradley
Senior Reporter
Inside the NYC tech scene's buzzy coworking space that doubles as a social club
Verci is a coworking space and social club where more than a dozen startups are building buzzy apps.
Dating, loneliness, AI: 12 investors explain where they're placing their bets in consumer tech
We spoke with investors about the future of social media. Here are five takeaways on AI, loneliness, and dating.
Read the pitch decks from these 38 creator-economy startups that helped them raise millions of dollars
Creator and influencer startups used these pitch decks to raise millions from VCs and other investors.
Read the pitch deck the 'Spotify of shopping' used to score a spot in an Andreessen Horowitz startup accelerator
Rodeo, a social commerce startup, says it wants to help people "shop the way they scroll." Read its pitch deck.
This startup is betting on AI to supercharge the virtual influencer market. Read its pitch deck.
AvatarOS, a virtual avatar startup, was founded by Isaac Bratzel, who helped build virtual influencer Lil Miquela.
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SoftBank-backed creator startup Jellysmack unloads another arm of its business
Blue Foxes, led by former Jellysmack executives, will take over some of the creator economy startup's owned-and-operated channels.
A new AI fashion app is trying to perfect the virtual try-on and tech investors are loving it
Doji lets users create AI avatars with their likenesses and virtually try on clothing. It raised funding from Alexis Ohanian's Seven Seven Six fund.
Instagram is starting to roll out its CapCut rival editing app — but it won't get you preferential treatment in the feed
Some influencers have early access to Meta's new "Made with Edits" tag, which the company began rolling out this week.
Instagram has launched over 20 new DM features in recent months. This chart breaks them all down.
Instagram has been beefing up DMs with over 20 updates in the last year, focusing on AI and user interaction. We put them all together in a chart.
A new anti-swiping dating app wants to be like Pokémon Go for finding love
Left Field, a new dating app, has launched in New York City and aims to combat swipe fatigue with location-based notifications.
Social shopping apps like LTK and Flip want to be more than just places to buy stuff
LTK, Flip, and other e-commerce apps are adding new social and entertainment features outside shopping as they vie for consumers' attention.
Social-media startups target a new set of investors: their users
Social startups like Diem and Spill are offering community rounds via WeFunder, a platform where everyday people can invest in early-stage companies.
Meta takes aim at the black market for Instagram accounts and services in 2 new lawsuits
Meta filed a lawsuit alleging one of its users bought and sold Instagram usernames. This is the first time it's filed such a suit in the US.
Why Slow Ventures raised $60 million to invest in creator businesses — and how it's structuring deals
VC firm Slow Ventures has raised $60 million to invest in content creators, targeting YouTubers with an entrepreneurial mindset.
How dating apps are changing in the wake of swiping fatigue and new startups emerging
Dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge have new competition. Startups are taking on swipe fatigue and burnout.
A new social music platform just hit 1 million users. Here's the pitch deck it used to close its $8 million seed round.
Hangout, a social music platform, launched in November as a new way to listen to music with friends and strangers.
Ex-Meta employee sues the tech giant, alleging a 'toxic pattern of silencing women'
A former employee at Meta filed a lawsuit against the company earlier this week. Kelly Stonelake alleges sex discrimination and harassment.
Why 'private social networks' will drive the future of social media, according to a prominent investor in the space
Alex Hofmann, the CEO of 9count, is betting on "private social networks" being the next big thing. He was formerly an exec at Musical.ly.
Meta earnings recap: Shares gain as revenue beats; Zuckerberg talks DeepSeek, the government, TikTok, and more
In a Q4 earnings call, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg talked about the spending plans for 2025, Meta AI, DeepSeek, TikTok, and more.