The Last Word: How Dating Apps Are Being Used for Business Networking, Not Romance

“Do you mean the real ramen or the microwave ramen?”

.…A tech recruiter’s message to a Hinge user before pivoting to job opportunities, via the Wall Street Journal.

Dating apps can be a great way to find romance. But increasingly, users are finding something else instead: business come-ons from tech recruiters, networkers, and more.

That’s according to the Wall Street Journal, which said the “ramen” message above was sent to Serena DiPenti of Dallas over the dating app Hinge (which is owned by Dallas-based Match Group). She’d mentioned that ramen was the key to her heart. But the tech recruiter instantly shifted to business, adding, “I’m wondering what company do you work for? Are you looking for new opportunities?”

Another Dallasite, Christian Jones, said on his Hinge profile that he’s on the app “to search for parents and teachers who will invest in his startup, which designs sneakers for children with mobile disabilities,” the WSJ writes.

Jones makes it clear that he’s not on Hinge for romance, but he’s gotten push-back from users he’s contacted anyway, the WSJ notes, including from one woman who responded: “Hey, this is a dating app.”

You can read the WSJ story—which also found children’s book authors, compliance specialists, and others hijacking dating apps to make business connections—by going here.

For more of who said what about all things North Texas, check out Every Last Word.

Get on the list.
Dallas Innovates, every day.

Sign up to keep your eye on what’s new and next in Dallas-Fort Worth, every day.

One quick signup, and you’re done.

R E A D   N E X T

  • As New Year's Eve approaches, thoughts are turning to holidays, fireworks, and—yes—business plans for a whole new year. That may be why December is National Business Plan Month, and TWU's Tracy Irby has the perfect way to celebrate it—by avoiding 5 key business plan mistakes.

  • From left: Ezi Negus, Okigwe Creations; Greer Christian, PureNRG Cycle; Awah Chai, Offworld Coffee; Kimberly Matthews, Holy Rollie Pastry Shop; and moderator Tarsha Hearns, The DEC Network. [Photo: The DEC Network]

    At the recent Entrepreneur Showcase in Dallas, four emerging startups were spotlighted alongside Biden Cabinet Member Isabella Casillas Guzman, who leads the Small Business Administration, and Mark Madrid, the driving force behind SBA's Office of Entrepreneurial Development. “I feel like I’ve just been to a TED talk with these entrepreneurs' words of wisdom,” Madrid said at the event powered by Dallas College and The DEC Network.

  • Dallas-based financial services giant Comerica Bank has named Trent Sampson, Jerry Collazo, and Adriana Najera to its newly formed South Dallas Business Banking Team that is led by Group Manager Derric Hicks. "As the leading bank for business, it is imperative that we raise expectations in all the communities where we live and serve," Comerica Bank Dallas Market President Amanda Mahaney said in a statement. "For many years, we have provided retail banking services and made community investments in the South Dallas community. Now, Derric and his team will focus on finding access to capital solutions for underserved entrepreneurs and…

  • These mavericks are not just shifting gears, they're changing the road rules in the automotive ecosystem. The Capital One Accelerator program, now in its second year, helps founders develop their business plans and pitches en route to becoming capital ready. Meet the 13 startups selected for 2023, set to drive innovation and change in the automotive ecosystem.

  • Santander announced that applications are open for Cohort 8 of its Cultivate Small Business program for small food businesses in Dallas, Philadelphia, and Miami. Santander said the program is "like a mini-MBA for food businesses" and is fully funded by Santander Bank. For Cohort 8, the program is virtual and open to small food-related businesses in Dallas, Philadelphia, and Miami. The application deadline is June 15.  The 12-week, fully virtual program is free to entrepreneurs and provides them with industry-specific education, networks, and mentoring, as well as the opportunity to apply for capital grants. Santander aims to connect early-stage entrepreneurs…