Joel Simkhai Email Address

Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Grindr LLC is an engineering software which aimed at advancing LGBTQ issues including equality, social justice, health, and more.

I use Grindr every day, and I love seeing the yellow glow of the app launching in venues all over the world. I created it for myself and love that there are millions of guys who’ve joined me. I come from a family of entrepreneurs: my father, mother, brother, aunts, and uncles -- everyone in my family has launched their own companies. I was born in Tel Aviv, grew up in Westchester outside of New York, and lived in Manhattan for many years before relocating to Los Angeles.My career path changed in June 2008 with Steve Jobs' announcement of the iPhone 3G and the App Store; until then, gay dating sites were bound to the desktop computer, and the experience was a bit clunky and limiting. When Apple brought GPS to the iPhone, I knew my dream of being able to meet guys online wherever I found myself was possible as an app. So I got my (extremely limited) resources together and all-out went for it. I had no business plan, no marketing plan, no investors, no startup money ... just the desire to create a way for guys to find each other that was simple and elegant.. I hired a developer in Denmark, a designer in Los Angeles, and we worked for 7 months to launch the first version of Grindr, with Grindr Xtra following shortly afterwards. We have a great brand, amazing employees, incredible users, and Grindr has been successful beyond my wildest dreams. I couldn’t be more proud of what we have created, and for that I am truly grateful.I love technology, and am always interested in angel investing the next great idea that may better help how we communicate, so drop me a line if you've got something you'd like to discuss. Outside of Grindr, I chair the Gay & Lesbian Network for the Young President's Organization (YPO), which is a global gathering of CEOs dedicated to bettering leaders through education and idea exchange.