John Kershaw
In short: John Kershaw is a Manchester-based software developer and entrepreneur who founded the beard-themed dating app Bristlr and the white-label dating platform M14 Industries. He pitched M14 on BBC's Dragons' Den in 2017 and joined the Online Dating Association board that year. M14 was sold in 2022 and was later acquired by Chapter 2 Dating Ltd.
Key facts
| Role | Founder of Bristlr and M14 Industries |
|---|---|
| Organisation | M14 Industries |
| Based in | United Kingdom |
| Role | Founder of M14 Industries, the white-label dating and social app platform [crunchbase.com] |
| Known for | Founded the dating app Bristlr, which connects people with beards to people who like beards [startups.com] |
| Location | Manchester, United Kingdom [startups.co.uk] |
| Dragons' Den | Appeared in series 14, episode 15, seeking £80,000 for 15% equity in M14 Industries; accepted £80,000 for 20% from Nick Jenkins and Peter Jones [startups.co.uk, February 2017] |
| Industry body role | Joined the Online Dating Association board, announced by M14 Industries [twitter.com, 31 October 2017] |
| Sale of M14 | M14 was acquired in 2022 by Steve Pammenter, co-founder of Venntro Media Group [prolificnorth.co.uk, 2022] |
| Later acquisition | Chapter 2 Dating Ltd, founded by Nicky Wake, acquired the M14 platform that powers Soberlove, Chapter 2 Dating and Widows Fire [prolificnorth.co.uk] |
Biography
John Kershaw is a software developer from Manchester, in the United Kingdom, who works in niche dating technology. He founded Bristlr, a dating app that connects people with beards to people who like beards. Bristlr is listed as developed by M14 Industries Ltd. Kershaw then founded M14 Industries, which describes itself as a white-label dating platform for both mobile-first websites and apps.
In February 2017 Kershaw appeared on BBC's Dragons' Den (series 14, episode 15). He sought £80,000 for 15% equity in M14. He accepted a joint offer from Nick Jenkins and Peter Jones of £80,000 for 20%, which valued the company at £400,000. Press reports say the deal did not complete after M14 received interest from another party at a higher valuation. In October 2017 M14 announced that Kershaw had joined the board of the Online Dating Association (ODA).
Kershaw was the original founder of the M14 platform. In 2022 it was acquired by Steve Pammenter, co-founder of Venntro Media Group. Chapter 2 Dating Ltd, founded by Nicky Wake, later acquired M14. Chapter 2 had used the platform for its apps Soberlove, Chapter 2 Dating and Widows Fire since 2022. Kershaw's link to the dating industry today is as the founder of the platform at the centre of that deal.
Also mentioned in
Questions about John Kershaw
Who is John Kershaw?
He is a Manchester-based software developer who founded the dating app Bristlr and the white-label dating platform M14 Industries.
What happened to M14 after Kershaw?
It was acquired in 2022 by Steve Pammenter, co-founder of Venntro Media Group, and later by Chapter 2 Dating Ltd.
Did John Kershaw appear on Dragons' Den?
Yes. He pitched M14 Industries in series 14, episode 15 in February 2017 and accepted a joint offer from Nick Jenkins and Peter Jones.
What is John Kershaw's current role?
John Kershaw is Founder of Bristlr and M14 Industries at M14 Industries.
Also known as: John Kershaw, M14 Industries.