Justin McLeod speaks at Fast Company Innovation Festival 2025 on September 18, 2025 in New York City.
Eugene Gologulsky | Getty Images
Hinge founder Justin McLeod is stepping down as the dating app’s CEO to launch a dating service powered by artificial intelligence.
McLeod will be replaced by Jackie Jantos, president and chief marketing officer of dating app Hinge’s parent company. match group It was announced on Tuesday.
“The company’s momentum gives us full confidence in Hinge’s future direction, with the company on track to reach $1 billion in sales by 2027,” McLeod said in a statement. He developed a dating app in 2011.
McLeod will remain as an advisor to Hinge until March. His new business, Overtone, uses AI and voice tools to “help people connect in more thoughtful and personal ways,” according to the announcement.
McLeod said he and his dedicated team will spend much of this year developing the startup with support from Match Group, which is expected to lead Overtone’s first funding round in early 2026.
Match Group, which also owns Tinder and various other dating apps, will take a significant ownership stake in Overtone. Match Group CEO Spencer Rascoff will join Overtone’s board of directors.
“We are proud to nurture Overtone within Hinge and lead his funding round as he builds his next business,” Rascoff said in a statement.
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