Hinge CEO Justin McLeod Steps Down to Launch Overtone: The AI Dating App Redefining Online Romance
In a bold move that’s shaking up the dating industry, CEO Justin McLeod — the founder and CEO of the popular dating app Hinge — is stepping away from his CEO role to launch a next-generation platform called Overtone. Far more than just another dating startup, Overtone represents a significant shift in how people may soon meet, match, and connect — through AI-powered voice technology.
This isn’t just about tech. It’s about redefining human connection in the digital age. Here are the seven most important things to understand about why Justin McLeod is stepping away from Hinge and what the future holds for AI dating apps.
1. From Startup to Global Success: The Rise of Hinge
Hinge was founded by Justin McLeod in 2011 as an answer to swipe culture. While apps like Tinder focused on casual encounters, Hinge branded itself as the app “designed to be deleted.” It aimed to help users form real, lasting relationships.
By 2025, Hinge’s parent company, Match Group, projected the app would hit $1 billion in revenue. That success made McLeod one of the most respected figures in the online dating space. But success didn’t mean complacency.
Driven by innovation and disillusioned by swipe fatigue, McLeod and a dedicated team began secretly building something entirely new within Hinge.
2. What Is Overtone? The AI-Powered Future of Dating
Overtone is an early-stage dating service focused on using AI and voice tools to create deeper, more intentional connections. While traditional dating apps rely heavily on photos and short bios, Overtone proposes a model where communication is driven by AI and voice tools, aiming to foster richer interpersonal dynamics.
Overtone was incubated inside Hinge over the last year, developing the idea. According to reports, Match Group announced that it will take a substantial ownership position, confirming its commitment by backing Overtone with pre-seed financing. Match Group plans to lead the initial funding round for Overtone in early 2026.
The app Overtone has not yet launched publicly, but insiders expect a beta release soon. Its goal: reinvent how people meet online by using AI and voice tools to eliminate the friction, awkwardness, and shallowness of current platforms.
3. Why AI and Voice? How Overtone Plans to Reinvent Dating
Today’s users — especially Gen Z — are growing tired of the monotony and emotional exhaustion of swiping. This demographic, more than any before, values emotional intelligence, inclusivity, and personalization in digital experiences. That’s where AI comes in.
Using Artificial Intelligence to Build Real Connections
Unlike other apps that have merely leaned into AI with features, Overtone is fundamentally an AI dating product called Overtone. Its foundation is built on artificial intelligence that can learn users’ preferences, behaviors, and emotional cues.
Imagine a system that not only matches you with someone compatible but also uses AI to stand in and suggest what to say based on your interests, tone, and personality — a new frontier in digital matchmaking.
Voice Tools to Help People Connect on a Deeper Level
Overtone’s use of voice tools to help people is a standout feature. Voice allows for the expression of tone, nuance, and energy in ways text cannot. For people who find texting awkward or impersonal, voice-first technology is a welcome shift.
By using AI and voice tools, users can build a more accurate first impression. These features also align with what Hingehas experimented with — their new “Convo Starters” tool, for instance, already uses AI-powered suggestions to initiate meaningful conversations.
4. The Strategic Departure: Why Justin McLeod Is Stepping Down
Many are asking: Why would the CEO of dating app Hinge, a product on track to reach $1 billion, leave now?
The answer lies in vision.
CEO Justin McLeod is stepping away because he believes the next wave of relationship technology must be AI-powered and voice-centric. Rather than disrupt Hinge from within, he opted to build something new and purpose-built — a dating service focused on using AI from the ground up.
That doesn’t mean he’s gone completely. McLeod will remain in an advisory role at Hinge through March, helping guide leadership through the transition and ensuring continuity.
5. Meet Jackie Jantos: The New Face of Hinge
Taking over the reins at Hinge is Jackie Jantos, who served as President and Chief Marketing Officer before being appointed CEO. Known for her creative leadership and user-first approach, Jackie has already helped Hinge expand into new markets and refine its brand for the Gen Z audience.
Hinge Will Address Gen Z More Directly
In a recent interview at SXSW London about how Hinge is evolving, Jantos emphasized the need to meet Gen Zexpectations head-on. That includes a stronger focus on authenticity, less surface-level interaction, and more intentional product development — potentially continuing to use AI as a key tool.
While Jantos leads Hinge, McLeod focuses on building Overtone — allowing both platforms to grow in parallel but distinct directions under the umbrella of Match Group.
6. Match Group’s Strategy: Incubate, Invest, and Innovate
Match Group, the parent company of apps like Hinge, Tinder, and OkCupid, is betting heavily on AI dating. That’s evident in their strategic choice to incubate Overtone and later spin it out into a standalone entity.
Not only did Match Group announce its role, but they also confirmed plans to take a substantial ownership position, lead the initial funding round, and invest in further development.
This model — incubation, funding, and spin-out — reflects how large tech firms can quickly adapt to consumer behavior without cannibalizing their current products. With Tinder seeing user fatigue and subscriber decline, and Facebook Dating struggling for traction, a new approach was necessary.
7. A Broader Shift in the Dating Industry Is Already Underway
It’s no coincidence that Overtone’s launch comes amid widespread dissatisfaction with traditional online dating. From data privacy concerns to the repetitive swiping model, users are seeking change.The Future: AI-Powered Dating Apps That Actually Work
If Overtone succeeds, it will prove that an AI-powered dating app can move beyond gimmicks and become a true tool for emotional connection. And that matters. The next generation isn’t looking for more matches — they’re looking for better ones.
Overtone, described as “an early-stage dating service focused on using AI, is building a model that reflects how people actually want to connect — using tech to feel more human, not less.
Final Thoughts: Can Overtone Redefine How We Date?
CEO Justin McLeod is stepping down not because Hinge is failing, but because he sees what comes next. With Overtone, he’s not launching a feature — he’s launching a movement.
This new AI dating app, incubated within Hinge, supported by a dedicated team, and backed by the strategic might of Match Group, is positioned to challenge everything we think we know about dating.
For those disillusioned by endless swiping and hollow matches, Overtone may be the long-awaited answer. With its focus on AI and voice tools, human connection may finally find its digital match.
