Authored by Eric Johansson on Monday, 10 October 2016. Published in Scaling right up, Interviews
Whenever Robyn Exton established a matchmaking application for gay people, she performedn’t foresee the way it would changes lives world-wide
Robyn Exton got on a goal. Outfitted with red neon tights, a white vest and a holster around their waistline with a bottle of alcohol dangling from each cool, she dashed between groups of ladies in nightclubs. Causing them to slim into discover the woman over the roar associated with sounds, Exton mentioned: “i’ve a fresh software also known as Dattch of course you sign-up now you’ll get a totally free chance of tequila.”
Brief for “date catch”, Dattch is the pre-cursor to Her, the matchmaking application for queer, bisexual and homosexual females definitely today complimentary everyone around the world. Most of that achievements could be caused by Exton’s nightly escapades in 2013, trading images for signups. “We have our very own very first 1,000 individuals who ways,” she says.
Having protected financial support and scientific knowhow, Exton got left utilizing the test of promoting the software, basically exactly how she discovered herself frequenting London clubs slinging shots of tequila in exchange for signups. But it wasn’t truly the only trick she got right up the girl arm. “We used to go to pleasure festivals in which they normally use those gross porta-potties that always lack toilet paper,” describes Exton. Not just one to miss a chance with regards to comes up, she merely stapled flyers on rest room paper rolls and passed them in the queues. “Really attractive items,” she laughs.
But while she now got some funds and a full time teams, the internet dating application didn’t remove initially. “In the first half a year, it had little or no responses, wedding and pick-up,” she stated. The difficulty had been that software was actually very similar to the way male-oriented matchmaking software like Grindr worked, concentrating on clear images, fast meet-up days, small interactions and rendering it very easy to create quick decisions. “It’s the entire opposite in the form of event women are searching for,” claims Exton. “They need browse more content, read more records and speak for a longer period before encounter right up.”
The team seen another thing as well: female didn’t only use the software for internet dating. In fact, most of the customers were in connections and tried it to learn the thing that was taking place regarding the homosexual scene. In most cases, people would sign up to learn local happenings, study reports, satisfy latest friends and get advice. Providing towards the ways members of town were using Dattch, Exton’s professionals redesigned and relaunched the platform as Her, changing they from a simple matchmaking app to anything deeper. “It became more of an easy way to relate to the greater community than just assisting everyone hook up one-on-one,” states Exton.
The rebrand coincided with Her’s show B round when the app secured $1m financing from buyers eg 
Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit, Garry bronze, co-founder of Posterous, together with British serial entrepreneur Michael Birch. Comparable times, their went live-in the US and Exton was given the opportunity to pitch the software at an American conference. “The effect was incredible,” states Exton. “To be reasonable, I was pitching they at Lesbians Exactly who Tech, so it couldn’t currently a best group of people.”
It was actuallyn’t exactly the location: Us citizens seemed even more started up on the idea than Exton’s countrymen have been. “British men and women are actually sceptical,” she says. “But the People in america are like ‘we can’t waiting to download this’.” The overwhelmingly good feedback coupled with a desire as near to its new United states dealers made determining Her’s next move easy: the team chose to transfer on United States. In order for’s exactly how within the spring season of 2015, Exton packed their bags and ventured over the pool.
Creating established inside latest headquarters in san francisco bay area, the expat along with her employees are now actually gearing right up for the next stage. For starters, Exton intends to launch reasonably limited account at the conclusion of the the autumn months with additional features. What those is nonetheless continues to be to be noticed but Her isn’t stopping around.
Today, the software features over so many users and is obtainable in the UK, the US, Canada, Brazil, Japan, Australia, Mexico, Thailand, Germany, Southern Africa as well as the Netherlands. But Exton plans to expand the business even more. “Next we’re centering on expanding internationally and developing the people around the globe,” she states.
When Exton does choose expand the app, more ladies can gain access to a residential area that’s currently changing the everyday lives of lots of people, something confirmed because of the many positive tales Her’s people bring shared with the firm. “We need a wall high in all of them,” she states. Each tale was a testament that Her is over a hook-up device; it’s be a means for homosexual ladies to feel acknowledged for who they really are. “Sadly, many people won’t bring acceptance from their people, friends or communities,” says Exton. “But we are able to let them have that by giving a community that comprehends all of them.”
The very first time she realised the effects the software was having on women’s lives was a short while ago. “A woman came up for me in a pub in London and mentioned she’d come resting together with her roommate,” says Exton. The lady told Exton that she hadn’t become certain whether she had been homosexual or perhaps not but after signing up for their she realised that it performedn’t material: right here is a group of people that acknowledged the girl regardless of what. “It had been wonderful,” she concludes. “I’ll remember that tale.”