Thursday (app)
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Thursday is a dating app launched in 2021 by George Rawlings that operates exclusively on Thursdays. Designed to combat "dating fatigue," the app limits user activity to one day per week to encourage quick decision-making and in-person meetings. Users can find matches, chat, and organize same-day dates, with the app also hosting singles events in cities like London and New York. It gained 750,000 downloads in its first nine months and aims to make Thursday synonymous with "date day." [1]
History
Thursday raised a £2.5 million (~$3.5 million) seed investment in 2021, shortly after its launch. The funding exceeded the company’s initial target, with contributions from notable investors including Ascension Ventures, Best Nights VC (the investment arm of Jägermeister), Connect Ventures, and early backers of companies like CityMapper, TypeForm, and FIIT.
Prominent angel investors such as Tom Blomfield (Monzo founder), Matt Robinson (GoCardless founder), and Ian Hogarth (Songkick founder) also supported the app.
The funds were intended to enhance the app’s development, including hiring a head of growth and marketing, building a tech team, and implementing a significant marketing strategy. Thursday planned to expand its availability beyond London and New York to other cosmopolitan cities. [2]
In January 2022, Thursday extends its unique concept beyond digital swiping by hosting singles mixers in cities like New York and London. These events, designed to combat "dating fatigue," draw hundreds of attendees who share frustrations with traditional dating apps, including lack of genuine connections and time-consuming interactions.
At mixers like one held at Hair of the Dog, a bar on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, attendees must present their dating app profile for entry. The events are intentionally unbranded and low-key, encouraging natural social interaction rather than orchestrated activities. Some participants find them a refreshing break from the repetitive nature of online dating, with others noting the events feel closer to meeting people "normally" in real life.
Thursday’s founders, including COO Matthew McNeill Love, believe these mixers complement the app's scarcity-driven approach, which limits usage to one day a week. By fostering spontaneity and encouraging in-person meetings, Thursday aims to bridge the gap between the digital and real-world dating experience. [3]
References
- ^ "The Thursday dating app that only works one day a week". 2022-05-05. Retrieved 2024-11-26.
- ^ Lomas, Natasha (2021-06-28). "Thursday snags $3.5M for a dating app that's live once a week". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2024-11-26.
- ^ "The Thursday dating app that only works one day a week". 2022-05-05. Retrieved 2024-11-26.