Meetmarket
In short: Meetmarket is a Berlin-based, privacy-focused app for gay and queer adults, developed by Calum Bowden with end-to-end encrypted messaging and no advertising. It raised €161,456 from about 1,300 crowdfunding backers in June 2026, a result DII cited as evidence of demand for alternatives to Grindr.
Key facts
| Type | Dating app |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Berlin, Germany |
| Website | meetmarket.io |
| Headquarters | Berlin-based, built and maintained by a small team [Open Collective, 2026] |
| Founder | Calum Bowden, who lives in Berlin, developed the app [Queerty, 4 September 2026] |
| Funding | Raised €161,456 through crowdfunding from about 1,300 backers [Dating Industry Insights, June 2026] |
| Launch | States that it launched in April 2026 and passed 60,000 signups in its first month with no paid marketing [Open Collective, April 2026] |
| Fact | Promises end-to-end encrypted messaging and no ads, with a planned decentralised identity system [Queerty, 4 September 2026] |
About Meetmarket
Meetmarket is a community-run app for gay and queer adults, built by a small team in Berlin. Its founder is Calum Bowden. The project promises end-to-end encrypted messaging and no advertising, and plans a decentralised identity system under which users keep their information on their own device. It positions itself as an alternative to dating apps owned by investment funds and says it is accountable to its community rather than to investors.
The project is funded through an Open Collective campaign in which supporters buy tiered Founding Member contributions. Dating Industry Insights reported that Meetmarket raised €161,456 in June 2026 from about 1,300 backers. Queerty reported that the campaign passed its goal within a month and would fund a year of development. Meetmarket's Open Collective page says the app launched in April 2026 and passed 60,000 signups in its first month without paid marketing. DII described the app as not yet launched in September 2026, so the launch status should be treated with care.
Meetmarket is one of several new privacy-focused challengers to Grindr, alongside Goose and Hank Social, according to DII. Grindr lost an appeal against Norway's data protection authority in 2024 over sharing user data with advertisers without valid consent. DII noted that encryption makes moderation harder, and that Meetmarket's funding is small next to the scale of larger incumbents.
Stories about Meetmarket
- Meetmarket's Crowdfunding Success: A Privacy Bet Grindr Can't Ignore
Meetmarket, a Berlin gay dating app not yet launched, raised €161,456 from roughly 1,300 backers in June, pitching privacy against Grindr.
Questions about Meetmarket
Who created Meetmarket?
Calum Bowden, who lives in Berlin, developed Meetmarket, which is built by a small team in Berlin.
How much has Meetmarket raised?
DII reported €161,456 raised through crowdfunding from about 1,300 backers in June 2026.
What makes Meetmarket different?
It promises end-to-end encrypted messaging, no ads and a planned decentralised identity system, aimed at gay and queer adults.
What is Meetmarket?
Meetmarket is a Berlin-based, privacy-focused app for gay and queer adults, developed by Calum Bowden with end-to-end encrypted messaging and no advertising. It raised €161,456 from about 1,300 crowdfunding backers in June 2026, a result DII cited as evidence of demand for alternatives to Grindr.
Where is Meetmarket based?
Meetmarket is based in Berlin, Germany.