Software:Muzmatch

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Muzmatch
Muzmatch larger logo with transparency.png
Original author(s)Shahzad Younas (Founder, CEO)
Initial releaseMarch 4, 2015; 9 years ago (2015-03-04)
Operating systemiOS, Android
Available inArabic, Bengali, Dutch, English, French, German, Hindi, Indonesian, Malay, Persian, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, Urdu languages
TypeOnline dating application
Websitemuzmatch.com

Muzmatch is a Muslim dating app founded by Shahzad Younas and launched in 2015. Its tagline is 'Where Single Muslims Meet' and emphasises marriage as opposed to casual dating.[1]

History

Muzmatch was first launched as a matrimonial website platform in 2011 by Shahzad Younas.[2] The site employed a novel pay as you go mechanism for its members. It allowed complete anonymity to all of its members – with all profile pictures being initially blurred, allowing only those 'seriously' looking to find a bride or groom to pay a small amount to access a full detailed profile description and picture.[3]

In 2014, Shahzad quit his 9-year banking career at Morgan Stanley[4] and taught himself how to code, investing all of his savings in starting up the business.[5] Younas bootstrapped and built the initial app himself, having been unimpressed with the quality of existing Muslim dating websites, which he describes as "ugly and horrible", and having a "terrible reputation".[6]

The website platform was shut down, with the app having a soft launch in 2015.[1]

In the summer of 2017, Muzmatch was accepted into Silicon Valley-based accelerator Y Combinator, who have backed the likes of Airbnb, Dropbox, and Reddit and provide a network of resources and support for startups — as well as investment.[7]

Younas opened his address to the room by saying: "Muslims don't date, we marry."[1]

Muzmatch was the first Muslim-centric startup to ever be backed by Y Combinator.[8]

In 2017, Muzmatch raised a total of $1.75M in their initial seed round, led by Fabrice Grinda's FJ Labs, Y Combinator, and London-based venture firm, Hambro Perks.[9] Muzmatch reported having 200,000 members spread across 160 countries, and over 6000 couples who met on the platform.[10]

In April 2019 Muzmatch was shortlisted for 'App of the Year' at the Evening Standard Business Awards.[11]

Muzmatch was also a 2019 London and the South finalist at The Spectator Business awards.[12]

In July 2019 Muzmatch raised $7M in their Series A round of funding, and reported having over 1.5 million users of its app and over 30,000 successes. The funding was jointly led by U.S. hedge fund Luxor Capital and Y Combinator.[13]

The app is available in 14 languages.[14]

In July 2020, muzmatch welcomed its three millionth user, marking a period of sustained growth for the brand. According to company data, muzmatch took four years to get to one million members and another year to reach two million. This latest milestone comes less than six months after the last one was surpassed.[15]

Operation

Members sign up to the app and complete their profile, where they are asked to complete their profile with photos and information such as sect, ethnicity and other religious information.[16] Members can use the app for free, or choose to upgrade to premium membership extra features, such as unlimited profiles, more advanced search filters and preferences, and being at the front of the queue.[17]

Muzmatch was the first Muslim app to allow members to include a chaperone or Wali who would be able to monitor messages sent to and from their account.[18] Users can also ensure they have no profile picture on their account or details such as their full name, so they can be as private online as possible.[19]

In 2016, the platform introduced selfie verification to ensure everyone on the app is verified. The company has a team in Bangladesh which, alongside its HQ in Aldgate, manually moderates every profile.[20]

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, muzmatch became the first leading religious dating platform to release a free in-app video calling feature[21] following a survey which found that 83% of users said they were struggling to find serious relationships because of lockdowns in their area.

Marketing

The company ran a viral tongue in cheek marketing campaign across the London Underground tube network and the Manchester and Birmingham bus network.[22] The ads incorporated 'halal' inspired puns such as "Halal, is it me you're looking for?".[23]

In 2019, the company launched a Brexit-themed marketing campaign on the London Underground. Ads with the message "Time to Leave the Single Market?" ran just as the UK population began to consider its options ahead of a December general election.[24]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "'Muslims don't date, we marry'" (in en-GB). BBC News. 2019-03-25. https://www.bbc.com/news/business-47567993. 
  2. ↑ News, Manchester Evening (2011-07-31). "muzmatch matrimonial website for Muslims" (in en). http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/business/business-news/enterprise/muzmatch-matrimonial-website-for-muslims-866886. 
  3. ↑ News, Manchester Evening (2011-07-31). "muzmatch matrimonial website for Muslims" (in en). http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/business/business-news/enterprise/muzmatch-matrimonial-website-for-muslims-866886. 
  4. ↑ "Muslim dating app muzmatch secures £5.8m Series A investment | Business Leader News" (in en-GB). 2019-08-01. https://www.businessleader.co.uk/muslim-dating-app-muzmatch-secures-5-8m-series-a-investment/71442/. 
  5. ↑ "Muslim dating app Muzmatch secures $7m from Silicon Valley" (in en-US). 2019-07-30. https://businesscloud.co.uk/muslim-dating-app-muzmatch-secures-7m-from-silicon-valley/. 
  6. ↑ "YC-backed Muzmatch definitely doesn't want to be Tinder for Muslims" (in en-US). https://social.techcrunch.com/2017/08/03/yc-backed-muzmatch-definitely-doesnt-want-to-be-tinder-for-muslims/. 
  7. ↑ Millington, Alison. "An ex-Morgan Stanley banker and a 25-year-old engineer created the first global matchmaking app for Muslims, and it's about to hit one million users". https://www.businessinsider.com/muzmach-matchmaking-app-for-muslims-about-to-hit-one-million-users-2018-12. 
  8. ↑ Millington, Alison. "An ex-Morgan Stanley banker and a 25-year-old engineer created the first global matchmaking app for Muslims, and it's about to hit one million users". https://www.businessinsider.com/muzmach-matchmaking-app-for-muslims-about-to-hit-one-million-users-2018-12. 
  9. ↑ "Muslim dating app muzmatch secures £5.8m Series A investment | Business Leader News" (in en-GB). 2019-08-01. https://www.businessleader.co.uk/muslim-dating-app-muzmatch-secures-5-8m-series-a-investment/71442/. 
  10. ↑ "YC-backed Muzmatch definitely doesn't want to be Tinder for Muslims" (in en-US). https://social.techcrunch.com/2017/08/03/yc-backed-muzmatch-definitely-doesnt-want-to-be-tinder-for-muslims/. 
  11. ↑ Armitage, Jim (2019-06-19). "Evening Standard Business Awards 2019 - the shortlist" (in en). https://www.standard.co.uk/business/business-awards/evening-standard-business-awards-2019-the-shortlist-a4130226.html. 
  12. ↑ "2019 finalists – London and the South | the Spectator". https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/2019-finalists-london-and-the-south. 
  13. ↑ "Muzmatch adds $7M to swipe right on Muslim-majority markets" (in en-US). https://social.techcrunch.com/2019/07/26/muzmatch-adds-7m-to-swipe-right-on-muslim-majority-markets/. 
  14. ↑ "Muzmatch adds $7M to swipe right on Muslim-majority markets" (in en-US). https://social.techcrunch.com/2019/07/26/muzmatch-adds-7m-to-swipe-right-on-muslim-majority-markets/. 
  15. ↑ "muzmatch Surpasses Three Million Members" (in en-GB). 2020-07-06. https://www.globaldatinginsights.com/news/muzmatch-surpasses-three-million-members/. 
  16. ↑ Millington, Alison. "An ex-Morgan Stanley banker and a 25-year-old engineer created the first global matchmaking app for Muslims, and it's about to hit one million users". https://www.businessinsider.com/muzmach-matchmaking-app-for-muslims-about-to-hit-one-million-users-2018-12. 
  17. ↑ Millington, Alison. "An ex-Morgan Stanley banker and a 25-year-old engineer created the first global matchmaking app for Muslims, and it's about to hit one million users". https://www.businessinsider.com/muzmach-matchmaking-app-for-muslims-about-to-hit-one-million-users-2018-12. 
  18. ↑ Al-Heeti, Abrar. "Beyond Tinder: How Muslim millennials are looking for love" (in en). https://www.cnet.com/news/tinder-minder-muzmatch-eshq-how-muslim-millennials-are-looking-for-love/. 
  19. ↑ Heathman, Amelia (2019-07-25). "Muzmatch: the dating app changing the way Muslims find love" (in en). https://www.standard.co.uk/tech/muzmatch-dating-app-for-muslims-a4198246.html. 
  20. ↑ Heathman, Amelia (2019-07-25). "Muzmatch: the dating app changing the way Muslims find love" (in en). https://www.standard.co.uk/tech/muzmatch-dating-app-for-muslims-a4198246.html. 
  21. ↑ "muzmatch Introduces In-App Video Calling" (in en-GB). 2020-05-26. https://www.globaldatinginsights.com/news/muzmatch-introduces-in-app-video-calling/. 
  22. ↑ Preece, Ashley (2018-09-17). "Why these new Muslim ads are making people laugh in Birmingham" (in en). https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/muzmatch-birmingham-adele-lionel-richie-15154107. 
  23. ↑ Heathman, Amelia (2019-07-25). "Muzmatch: the dating app changing the way Muslims find love" (in en). https://www.standard.co.uk/tech/muzmatch-dating-app-for-muslims-a4198246.html. 
  24. ↑ "muzmatch Launches Brexit-Themed London Underground Ads" (in en-GB). 2019-11-01. https://www.globaldatinginsights.com/news/muzmatch-launches-brexit-themed-london-underground-ads/. 




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