Hinge CEO resigns to introduce Overtone, a new AI-powered dating application

Hinge CEO Justin McLeod Steps Down to Launch Overtone

Justin McLeod, the chief executive of Hinge, has announced his departure to introduce a new AI-powered dating platform named Overtone.

Match Group, the parent company behind Hinge, Tinder, and OkCupid, is supporting Overtone with initial funding and intends to secure a significant stake in the new venture, according to an official statement.

Overtone began as an internal project at Hinge, nurtured with Match Group’s backing. Over the past year, McLeod and his team have been developing Overtone, which aims to use artificial intelligence and voice technology to foster more meaningful and personalized connections between users.

McLeod is not alone in exploring AI-driven dating solutions. Whitney Wolfe Herd, who founded Bumble, has expressed her ambition to create an AI matchmaker that is both highly intelligent and emotionally perceptive. Notably, Wolfe Herd previously suggested that singles might one day use AI avatars to interact and date other users’ AI counterparts.

Details on how Overtone will set itself apart from other dating services remain unclear. Many platforms have started integrating AI features in response to growing dissatisfaction with online dating, particularly among younger users like Gen Z.

Tinder, for example, has experienced nine consecutive quarters of declining paid subscriptions and has introduced AI tools designed to improve match rates. Hinge recently rolled out a new AI feature called “Convo Starters” to help users move beyond generic small talk. Both Tinder and Facebook Dating have experimented with AI-driven matching to address user fatigue from endless swiping.

While some users may be comfortable letting AI influence their dating experience, other uses of AI in these apps have raised concerns.

Last month, Match Group CEO Spencer Rascoff revealed that a key component of Tinder’s 2026 update will be a feature called Chemistry, which—with user consent—will analyze photos from users’ camera rolls to better understand them. (As a precaution, it’s wise to be cautious about granting tech companies extensive access to your personal data.)

McLeod originally launched Hinge in 2011 with the goal of fostering genuine relationships rather than casual encounters. Since being acquired by Match Group in 2019, Hinge is projected to reach $1 billion in revenue by 2027. Jackie Jantos, who currently serves as Hinge’s president and chief marketing officer, will succeed McLeod as CEO. McLeod will continue to advise Hinge until March.

Addressing Gen Z’s Changing Attitudes Toward Online Dating

Earlier this summer, TechCrunch interviewed Jantos at SXSW London about Hinge’s approach to engaging Gen Z, a demographic increasingly skeptical of online dating.

“This generation has grown up with a sophisticated understanding of digital platforms and is clear about what they want from these experiences,” Jantos explained to TechCrunch.

According to Jantos, Gen Z values honesty and transparency from digital brands. While some may question whether this aligns with the increasing use of AI, Hinge’s AI-powered recommendation system, introduced in March, led to a 15% rise in matches and conversations during the first quarter of the year.

Jantos’ statements as the new CEO suggest that Hinge will continue to prioritize innovative features that resonate with today’s users.

“We will keep focusing on thoughtful innovation rooted in cultural awareness, creativity, and a deep understanding of how people form connections in the modern world,” Jantos affirmed.