Who Owns Thursday?

Thursday was founded in 2018 by George Rawlings and Matthew McNeill Love, initially launching as Honeypot Dating, a more traditional dating app where users could check into venues and see who else was around. The concept evolved based on user feedback and market observations.

The founders recognized that many users were frustrated with endless swiping and digital messaging without real-life connections. This insight led to the pivot toward hosting actual singles events, primarily held on Thursdays, creating a unique position in the dating market.

The company rebranded as Thursday and developed its signature approach: hosting weekly singles-only events in various cities. These events are designed to be relaxed, pressure-free environments without speed dating or apps, taking place at bars and venues filled with like-minded singles.

Thursday expanded rapidly, growing from its initial London base to operating in over 150 cities worldwide. The company diversified its event offerings beyond bars to include running clubs, gym classes, dance studios, art galleries, sports games, and other activities.

In June 2022, Thursday raised a $3.5 million Seed Round from a combination of Angels and VCs at a favorable valuation. The company began a Series A raise of $20 million to continue its US expansion, with goals to be in 20 major US cities by the end of 2022.