Hinge founder Justin McLeod is leaving his role as CEO to focus on building an AI-powered dating startup called Overtone. Parent company Match Group announced that Jackie Jantos, currently Hinge’s president and chief marketing officer, will take over leadership of the app. McLeod, who launched Hinge in 2011, will stay on as an advisor through March to support the transition.
Match Group said Overtone will use AI and voice technology to enable more personal and engaging introductions between users. The startup has been incubated within Hinge throughout the year, with McLeod assembling a dedicated team and early product work already underway. Match Group plans to lead the company’s initial funding round in early 2026 and will retain a significant stake, with CEO Spencer Rascoff joining Overtone’s board.
The move reflects rising adoption of AI features in the dating market as companies seek to improve conversation quality and match relevance. Hinge recently introduced AI Convo Starters designed to help users break the ice, while Tinder is testing Chemistry, an AI recommendation tool aimed at increasing engagement and match success. The shift suggests dating apps are moving toward more personalized and automated experiences to differentiate in a competitive market.
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