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Justin McLeod, the CEO and founder of the highly successful dating app Hinge, has an interesting story behind the launch of his now $400 million firm. As a young Harvard Business School student back in 2011, McLeod had the vision to create a dating software that would eventually be deleted once users found their perfect match. This idea laid the foundation for what would become the second-most downloaded dating app in English-speaking areas, following closely behind Tinder. As of 2023, Hinge boasts over 14 million users actively seeking their ideal partner through the app.
In the early days of Hinge, McLeod faced the challenge of attracting users to sign up for his app when traditional desktop-based internet dating was still the norm. Swiping on your phone to find love, or perhaps a one-night stand, was a novel concept at the time. Despite the difficulties, McLeod approached his task with creativity and determination, even resorting to bribing his classmates with KitKats to try his app. He recalls running around the Georgetown college library in Washington, D.C., trying to convince students to give Hinge a chance, with only a modest daily user acquisition rate.
To bring Hinge to life, McLeod had to rely on networking, speaking to as many people as possible, and securing funds from anyone willing to invest in his idea. He had to hustle hard, collecting checks ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 to kickstart the app. His big break came when he was offered a position at McKinsey, a prestigious consulting firm, during his second year of business school. While consulting would have been a lucrative career, paying up to six figures, McLeod chose to pursue his passion for entrepreneurship and develop Hinge.
Turning down the offer from McKinsey allowed McLeod to focus on Hinge full-time, borrowing money to fund the development of the app. His dedication paid off when Match Group acquired Hinge in 2015, leading to the app’s tremendous growth and success. McLeod went on to purchase a luxurious New York residence for his family and continued to lead Hinge as its CEO.
In today’s world, where many Gen Z graduates aspire to become entrepreneurs rather than follow traditional career paths, McLeod’s story serves as an inspiration. He encourages young people to be both idealistic and realistic in pursuing their dreams, advising them to think big while also paying attention to practical details. McLeod emphasizes the importance of taking action and starting their journey, whether it involves launching a business or entering the workforce.
By following his passion and persevering through challenges, Justin McLeod transformed a simple idea into a multi-million dollar company. His entrepreneurial journey serves as a reminder to aspiring creators that success comes from a combination of vision, hard work, and a willingness to take risks.
