--- title: "Justin McLeod - Founder & CEO | DII" description: "Founder & CEO at Overtone. Founded hinge, stepped down dec 2025 to launch overtone, an ai dating startup backed by match group." lang: en-GB json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Person", "name": "Justin McLeod", "jobTitle": "Founder & CEO", "description": "Built Hinge into a $691M revenue business, departed Dec 2025 to launch Overtone", "url": "https://www.datingindustryinsights.com/people/justin-mcleod", "image": "https://wljexrfnabxcmtcyztnv.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/profile-images/aa9a7b39-5a26-4af1-b966-0add193463f5.jpg", "sameAs": [ "https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcleod-b43156134/" ], "worksFor": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Overtone", "url": "https://www.datingindustryinsights.com/companies/overtone" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://www.datingindustryinsights.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "People", "item": "https://www.datingindustryinsights.com/people" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Justin McLeod" } ] } ] --- [![Dating Industry Insights](/assets/dii-logo-footer-B-hNTbau.webp)](/)[A High Intent Media Brand](https://www.highintentmediagroup.com) [About](/about) [Companies](/companies "Dating App Companies") [Products](/directory "Dating Products & Features") [People](/people "Industry People & Executives") [News](/news "Dating Industry News") [Reports](/reports "Market Reports & Data") [Resources](/resources "Industry Resources") Log InRegister Free Trending [Ofcom's Compliance Ultimatum: Dating Platforms Can't Wait for 2027](/news/ofcom-warns-online-safety-measures) | [Surf's Fitness Race Dates: Strategic Innovation or Marketing Stunt?](/news/surf-expands-events-partnership-hyrox-globally) | [Duo's ₩345M Fine: A Warning Shot for Matchmaking's Opaque Promises](/news/matchmaker-duo-fined-over-misleading-ads) | [EliteSingles' Resurrection: Brand Equity vs. Network Effects](/news/elitesingles-relaunches-under-new-ownership) | [Fake Dating Apps Poison User Trust: A Crisis for Startups](/news/fake-dating-app-apk-user-concerns) [Home](/)[People](/people)Justin McLeod ![Justin McLeod](https://wljexrfnabxcmtcyztnv.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/profile-images/aa9a7b39-5a26-4af1-b966-0add193463f5.jpg) # Justin McLeod Founder & CEO [at ![Overtone logo](https://img.logo.dev/name/Overtone?token=pk_K6hdbPRcTQSnsRNEiZ-Ymg&size=56&format=png&fallback=monogram)Overtone](/companies/overtone) Overseeing: [![Overtone logo](https://img.logo.dev/name/Overtone?token=pk_K6hdbPRcTQSnsRNEiZ-Ymg&size=48&format=png&fallback=monogram)Overtone ](/products/overtone "Overtone") [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcleod-b43156134/) Built Hinge into a $691M revenue business, departed Dec 2025 to launch Overtone ## About Justin McLeod Since December 2025, Justin McLeod has led Overtone as Founder and CEO, steering an ambitious AI-driven dating venture spun out of Match Group that leverages voice-based technology to facilitate deeper human connection. This latest chapter represents his return to startup innovation after establishing himself as one of the dating industry's most transformative leaders. Under his leadership, Overtone is pioneering artificial intelligence applications designed not to replace human interaction but to enhance the authenticity and depth of romantic connections in an increasingly digital landscape. McLeod's entrepreneurial journey began with the founding of Hinge, where he fundamentally reimagined the dating app experience by positioning the platform as "designed to be deleted"—a counter-intuitive philosophy that resonated powerfully with users seeking meaningful relationships rather than endless swiping. His leadership transformed Hinge from a startup into a global powerhouse in intentional dating, with the company tracking toward $1 billion in annual revenue. This success was built on his conviction that technology should serve genuine human connection rather than gamification, a principle that distinguished Hinge in a crowded and often criticized market. McLeod brings to Overtone a rare combination of technical vision, brand-building expertise, and deep understanding of relationship psychology that few executives in the dating space can match. His ability to identify and capitalize on cultural shifts—recognizing the growing fatigue with superficial matching algorithms and the desire for substance over volume—has proven invaluable in building products that align with evolving consumer values. With Overtone, he is once again positioned at the forefront of dating innovation, applying lessons from his Hinge success while exploring how emerging technologies like AI and voice interfaces can create more nuanced, emotionally intelligent pathways to romance. ## Justin McLeod News Coverage [View all coverage →](/news?person=justin-mcleod) [ Financial & Investor ![A digital interface illustrating artificial intelligence glowing icons on a mobile phone displaying a dating app layout.](https://images.pexels.com/photos/3978157/pexels-photo-3978157.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&w=600&h=340&fit=crop&fm=webp&q=50&dpr=1) ### AI Matchmaking: Investors Bet Big as Singles Walk Away Justin McLeod, who sold Hinge to Match Group for £139M, has raised $18M for a new AI matchmaking startup Nearly half of … Friday 7th August · 1 min read Read → ](/news/ai-matchmakers-gain-ground-personalisation)[ Financial & Investor ![A person thoughtfully looking at a smartphone displaying a voice-based dating application interface.](https://images.pexels.com/photos/17575718/pexels-photo-17575718.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&w=600&h=340&fit=crop&fm=webp&q=50&dpr=1) ### Match Group's $18M Bet on Overtone: A Swipe Model Requiem? Match Group led an $18M seed round for Overtone, a startup founded by former Hinge CEO Justin McLeod that aims to replac… Wednesday 15th July · 1 min read Read → ](/news/hinge-founder-raises-voice-app)[ Technology & AI Lab ![A person holding a smartphone displays a dating app profile alongside abstract digital network icons.](https://images.pexels.com/photos/32389304/pexels-photo-32389304.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&w=600&h=340&fit=crop&fm=webp&q=50&dpr=1) ### Hinge's AI Dilemma: Engagement Gains at the Cost of Connection? Match Group reported 15.9M paying subscribers across all brands in Q4 2024, down from 16.3M the prior year 43% of US adu… Monday 30th March · 1 min read Read → ](/news/hinge-ceo-concerns-ai-dating)[ Regulatory Monitor ![A person holding a smartphone displaying a dating app profile interface while sitting at a coffee shop table.](https://wljexrfnabxcmtcyztnv.supabase.co/storage/v1/render/image/public/media/posts/6c37e361-9d79-4bc7-a05c-499b8e819141.jpg?width=600&height=340&resize=cover&quality=75&format=origin) ### Hinge's Algorithm Denial: Transparency or Just Talk? Jackie Jantos became Hinge CEO in January 2025, taking over from founder Justin McLeod after Match Group announced the s… Tuesday 24th March · 1 min read Read → ](/news/hinge-ceo-refutes-algorithm-bias-claims)[ Financial & Investor ![A person holding a mobile phone displaying a relationship-focused dating application interface.](https://images.pexels.com/photos/7339183/pexels-photo-7339183.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&w=600&h=340&fit=crop&fm=webp&q=50&dpr=1) ### Hinge's 'Designed to Be Deleted' Strategy: Marketing Genius or Genuine Growth Driver? Hinge became Match Group's second-largest revenue contributor by Q3 2024, with double-digit year-over-year growth Match … Thursday 15th January · 1 min read Read → ](/news/hinge-continued-growth-dating-trends) ![Dating Industry Insights](/assets/dii-logo-footer-B-hNTbau.webp) B2B intelligence for the online dating industry. 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