# Appflame

> Source: https://www.datingindustryinsights.com/companies/appflame | Publisher: Dating Industry Insights (High Intent Media Inc) | Last checked: 2026-10-20


**In short:** Appflame is a Kyiv-founded dating company that builds and operates the Taimi LGBTQ+ dating app and the mainstream Hily app. It says it is profitable and has never raised outside investment. It matters to the industry as a bootstrapped operator that has said it is aiming for 2 million daily active users as a threshold for IPO readiness.

## Key facts

- Type: Dating platform
- Headquarters: Ukraine
- Founder: Jake Vygnan
- Website: appflame.com
- Launch: Appflame launched the Taimi and Hily dating apps in 2017 (2017) [source](https://tech.eu/2026/08/18/bootstrapped-and-profitable-taimi-and-hily-set-their-sights-on-ipo-readiness/)
- Founder: Jake Vygnan, Alex Pasykov and Dmytro Kononov are named as co-founders of Taimi and Hily (2026-08) [source](https://tech.eu/2026/08/18/bootstrapped-and-profitable-taimi-and-hily-set-their-sights-on-ipo-readiness/)
- Funding: Appflame says it has never raised external investment, and that Taimi and Hily are profitable and growing (2026-08) [source](https://tech.eu/2026/08/18/bootstrapped-and-profitable-taimi-and-hily-set-their-sights-on-ipo-readiness/)
- Users: Taimi has almost 350,000 daily active users, according to Tech.eu; DII reports about 350,000 daily active users across Appflame, with a target of 2 million for IPO readiness (2026-08) [source](https://www.datingindustryinsights.com/news/taimi-hily-ipo-readiness-growth-target)
- Fact: Appflame launched the Ignite initiative in 2024 to develop new products from its own team; it has four products, three apps and one content business (2024) [source](https://tech.eu/2026/08/18/bootstrapped-and-profitable-taimi-and-hily-set-their-sights-on-ipo-readiness/)

## About

Appflame is a dating company founded in Kyiv that operates two apps, Taimi and Hily. Both launched in 2017. Taimi is an LGBTQ+ dating app, and Hily is a mainstream dating service. Tech.eu names Jake Vygnan, Alex Pasykov and Dmytro Kononov as the co-founders behind the two apps. The company describes itself as self-funded. Vygnan told Tech.eu that Appflame has never raised external investment, and that both apps are profitable and growing. Tech.eu reports that Taimi has almost 350,000 daily active users, while DII attributes about 350,000 daily active users to the company as a whole. Taimi has around 100 staff across London, the United States and Cyprus. In August 2026 Appflame said it is targeting 2 million daily active users as the point at which it would be ready for an IPO, though Vygnan stressed that readiness does not necessarily mean an immediate listing. Taimi has narrowed its focus to dating after dropping an earlier plan to be an LGBTQ+ super app. In 2024 the company launched Ignite, an initiative to develop new products from within its team. It now has four products: three apps and one content business.


## Stories about Appflame

- [Appflame's IPO Ambition: Discipline or Delusion in a Fatigued Market?](https://www.datingindustryinsights.com/news/taimi-hily-ipo-readiness-growth-target) (2026-08-19)

## Questions



**What does Appflame own?** Appflame operates the Taimi LGBTQ+ dating app and the Hily dating app, both launched in 2017.

**Is Appflame venture-backed?** No. Co-founder Jake Vygnan says the company has never raised external investment.

**Where was Appflame founded?** DII describes it as Kyiv-founded, and Tech.eu describes its co-founders as Kyiv-based.

**What does Appflame do?** Appflame is a Kyiv-founded dating company that builds and operates the Taimi LGBTQ+ dating app and the mainstream Hily app. It says it is profitable and has never raised outside investment.

**Who founded Appflame?** Appflame was founded by Jake Vygnan.

**Where is Appflame based?** Appflame is based in Ukraine.


---
Canonical: https://www.datingindustryinsights.com/companies/appflame