Software:Bristlr
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| Developer(s) | M14 Industries Ltd. |
|---|---|
| Initial release | Script error: No such module "Date time". |
| Stable release | |
| Operating system | iOS, Android, Web |
| Website | bristlr |
Bristlr is a location-based social search mobile app that facilitates communication between bearded men and women who love beards, allowing matched users to chat.[3][4][5][6]
Overview
Bristlr was founded by John Kershaw in 2014.[7] The app is popular in Canada, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Appearance in Dragon's Den
John Kershaw, founder of Manchester-based startup M14 Industries, pitched his dating app-building platform on Dragon's Den (season 14 episode 15), seeking £80,000 for 15% equity. Dubbed the “app that connects those with beards to those who want to stroke beards,” Kershaw impressed the Dragons with his confidence and a strong pitch despite having no revenue. All five Dragons made offers, with Peter Jones noting the startup’s deal with UK media giant Global.
After deliberation, Kershaw accepted a joint offer from Nick Jenkins and Peter Jones for £80,000 in exchange for 20% equity, valuing the company at £400,000. However, complications arose when M14 was approached by a major client offering a significantly higher valuation of £1.5 million. This led to renegotiation attempts, which the Dragons declined, resulting in the deal collapsing.
Despite this, Kershaw secured funding of approximately £100,000 from a combination of angel investors and supporters from a previous funding round. Although the unnamed major client chose to remain a customer rather than an investor, the funding round successfully closed in early December. Kershaw also maintained a positive relationship with Jenkins, which later facilitated M14's acquisition of the dating app Double. Both Jenkins and Jones expressed their best wishes for the future success of M14 Industries. [8][9]
See also
- Comparison of online dating services
- Timeline of online dating services
References
- ↑ "Bristlr - Apps on Google Play". https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bristlr.app.
- ↑ "Bristlr, dating for beard fans on the App Store". https://apps.apple.com/us/app/bristlr-free-dating-for-beard/id943951836.
- ↑ "I Joined a Beard-Themed Dating Site". 22 December 2014. http://www.elle.com/life-love/sex-relationships/advice/a14878/bristlr-beard-dating/.
- ↑ "There's now a dating app for beard lovers, because of course there is". 4 December 2014. http://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/entertainment/news/a31699/bristlr-beard-dating-app/.
- ↑ Morris, Hugh (3 December 2014). "Bristlr: a dating app for bearded men and women who love them". https://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/fashion-and-style/11269930/Bristlr-a-dating-app-for-bearded-men-and-women-who-love-them.html.
- ↑ Caitlin Dewey. "A social network for dudes with beards is kinda, sorta, accidentally revolutionizing online dating". Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-intersect/wp/2015/01/08/a-social-network-for-dudes-with-beards-is-kinda-sorta-accidentally-revolutionizing-online-dating/.
- ↑ "Bristlr: Online dating for beard lovers, In Short - BBC Radio 5 live". December 2014. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02d68dv.
- ↑ "Dragons' Den series 14: Episode 15 – Dragons' Den: the Intellectual Property blog" (in en). 2017-02-19. https://dragonsden.blog.gov.uk/2017/02/19/dragons-den-series-14-episode-15/.
- ↑ O'Hear, Steve (2017-03-07). "How the M14 Industries Dragons' Den deal collapsed" (in en-US). https://techcrunch.com/2017/03/07/how-the-m14-industries-dragons-den-deal-collapsed/.
External links
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