# Grindr: Joel Simkhai

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2023-07-17
- Length: 1h 09m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-07-17-grindr-joel-simkhai

## Summary

Joel Simkhai, founder of Grindr and Motto, explains how he bootstrapped Grindr into a global phenomenon by leveraging the iPhone's GPS capabilities to solve his personal difficulty in meeting other gay men. He details the early challenges of scaling a non-technical team, dealing with server crashes, and fighting spam, while maintaining a lean operation funded by ads and subscriptions. Simkhai also discusses the strategic decision to reject venture capital to maintain control, the contentious sale to Kunlun Tech, and his subsequent launch of Motto, a new queer dating app designed to address the safety and authenticity issues prevalent in the industry.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-07-17-grindr-joel-simkhai#t=0) Introduction: Joel Simkhai and the Origin of Grindr
- [3:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-07-17-grindr-joel-simkhai#t=229) Personal Background and the Idea for Grindr
- [13:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-07-17-grindr-joel-simkhai#t=785) Building the First Prototype with No Coding Skills
- [24:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-07-17-grindr-joel-simkhai#t=1478) Launch Strategy, Monetization, and Early Growth
- [35:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-07-17-grindr-joel-simkhai#t=2150) Scaling Challenges, Server Crashes, and Spam
- [54:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-07-17-grindr-joel-simkhai#t=3253) Safety, Privacy, and the Blender Failure
- [1:00:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-07-17-grindr-joel-simkhai#t=3616) Selling to Kunlun Tech and Leaving Grindr
- [1:07:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-07-17-grindr-joel-simkhai#t=4038) Launching Motto and Reflections on Success

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Security & privacy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/security-and-privacy)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)

## Most relevant to

founders before launch, early-stage companies, companies scaling up, large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Grindr (product)
- Motto (product)
- iPhone (product)
- App Store (product)
- Cydia (product)
- Foursquare (product)
- Dodgeball (product)
- Manhunt (product)
- AdMob (product)
- Google App Engine (product)
- Amazon (company)
- Kunlun Tech (company)
- Tinder (product)
- Blender (product)
- Top Gear (product)
- BBC (company)
- Stephen Fry (other)
- Morton (other)
- Scott Llewellyn (other)
- Yvette Pasqua (other)

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- [Founder Feature:  Elan Halpern & Kiki Couchman of Sourmilk](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-11-07-founder-feature-elan-halpern-kiki-couchman-of-sourmilk) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
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- [Scaling Bluesky with Paul Frazee](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2024-12-19-scaling-bluesky-with-paul-frazee) (Oxide and Friends)
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## Citing this page

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