Tinder, A $500 Million Dating App, Used This Pitch Deck When It Was Just A Tiny Startup

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Tinder used to be called Match Box. The company changed the name because it was too similar to another IAC dating company, Match.com.

Tinder used to be called Match Box. The company changed the name because it was too similar to another IAC dating company, Match.com.
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To demonstrate its idea, Tinder used a single guy "Matt" as an example.

To demonstrate its idea, Tinder used a single guy "Matt" as an example.
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Matt sees an attractive girl but is too shy to approach her.

Matt sees an attractive girl but is too shy to approach her.

Rejection is the worst.

Rejection is the worst.
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Tinder, or Match Box as it was called then, was positioned as the cure for humiliation and public rejection.

Tinder, or Match Box as it was called then, was positioned as the cure for humiliation and public rejection.

Originally, Tinder used thumbs up and down signs, not X or v to rate profiles on the app.

Originally, Tinder used thumbs up and down signs, not X or v to rate profiles on the app.
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Just like Tinder today, Match Box showed you single people nearby and only allowed you to message people who liked your profile in return.

Just like Tinder today, Match Box showed you single people nearby and only allowed you to message people who liked your profile in return.

Here's what early Tinder messages looked like.

Here's what early Tinder messages looked like.
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Tinder's core features are pretty simple. Matches require mutual liking, and Wi-Fi is used to show a user's location.

Tinder's core features are pretty simple. Matches require mutual liking, and Wi-Fi is used to show a user's location.

Tinder thought it'd monetize with in-app purchases and a freemium model, where the first few matches cost no money and every match after costs $1. Tinder also toyed with the idea of promoted profiles. Tinder hasn't implemented any of these payment features.

Tinder thought it'd monetize with in-app purchases and a freemium model, where the first few matches cost no money and every match after costs $1. Tinder also toyed with the idea of promoted profiles. Tinder hasn't implemented any of these payment features.
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