What is Hinge?
Hinge, Inc. operates as a sophisticated developer of mobile and internet-based social applications. By integrating social platform data with validated user profiles, the company provides a unique interface that emphasizes mutual connections and shared interests. Originally founded as Cleod9, Inc. in 2011, the New York-based entity has transitioned into a prominent player in the digital social discovery market, focusing on high-intent user engagement rather than traditional swiping mechanics. Its market position is defined by its ability to synthesize complex social data into a streamlined, user-friendly experience that prioritizes long-term relationship building.
How much funding has Hinge raised?
Hinge has raised a total of $21.3M across 5 funding rounds:
Other Financing Round
$100K
Angel/Seed
$650K
Debt
$4M
Series B
$4.5M
Series A
$12M
Other Financing Round (2012): $100K with participation from Fortify Ventures
Angel/Seed (2013): $650K led by Piedmont Capital and 500.com
Debt (2013): $4M supported by Red Swan Ventures, Evan Burfield, 500.com, Militello Capital, Fortify Ventures, Cam Drummond, Middleland Capital, Eniac Ventures, Social Capital, Great Oaks Venture Capital, Graph Ventures, David Fischer, Raj Sandhu, and Prashant Malik
Series B (2014): $4.5M featuring Lumia Capital, Great Oaks Venture Capital, CAA Ventures, Founders Fund, Lowercase Capital, and Middleland Capital
Series A (2014): $12M backed by Great Oaks, Shasta Ventures, Eniac, CAA Ventures, and Lowercase
Key Investors in Hinge
Founders Fund
A prominent venture capital firm that invests in transformative companies across all stages, known for its founder-friendly strategy and backing of industry-defining technology giants.
Great Oaks Venture Capital
An early-stage investment firm specializing in software and marketplaces, providing hands-on support to founders during critical growth inflection points.
Shasta Ventures
A leading early-stage venture capital firm with over $1 billion under management, focused on partnering with bold entrepreneurs building innovative enterprise software and consumer products.
What's next for Hinge?
With the capital secured through its latest financing, Hinge is well-positioned to accelerate its product development and expand its market footprint. The strategic focus moving forward likely involves deepening its algorithmic capabilities to enhance match quality and user retention. By leveraging the expertise of its diverse investor base, the company is poised to refine its monetization strategies while maintaining the integrity of its social networking ecosystem. Future growth will likely center on international expansion and the integration of advanced machine learning to further differentiate its offering in an increasingly crowded social technology sector.
See full Hinge company page
