Taimi and Hily Prepare for IPO Readiness Amid Growing LGBTQI+ Dating Market
Taimi and Hily, two mobile dating apps, are gearing up for potential IPOs as they focus on expanding their user bases and improving their services. The apps, which cater to the LGBTQI+ community, have seen significant growth in recent years and are now looking to tap into the mainstream dating market.
The mobile dating app market is set to see significant changes as Taimi and Hily, two prominent players in the LGBTQI+ dating space, prepare for potential IPOs.
## From General Dating to LGBTQI+ Focus
Taimi and Hily were founded by Jake Vygnan and his fellow Kyiv co-founders in 2017. Initially, the apps targeted the mainstream dating market, but they soon realized that there was a need for a fully inclusive LGBTQI+ dating platform. Taimi, in particular, positions itself as a single dating platform for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, queer, and other LGBTQI+ users.
## Balancing Safety and Privacy
Safety, moderation, and fraud detection are major priorities for Taimi and Hily. However, the apps must balance these concerns with the need to protect user privacy. Taimi uses an automated process to detect and prevent harassment, while Hily allows users to hide explicit images until the recipient chooses to view them.
## Diversifying and Supporting Ukraine
Taimi has launched an initiative called appflame, which focuses on developing new products and nurturing the next generation of founders. The initiative has already led to the creation of three new apps and one content-based business. In addition, Taimi has partnered with a German healthtech startup to provide LGBTQ+-focused healthcare services.
The company has also established the appflame Foundation, which supports prosthetics and military leadership education initiatives in Ukraine. The Foundation has partnered with a professional military education programme and has provided grants to veterans to pursue Master's degrees in Biomedical Engineering and Applied Mechanics.
## Gen Z and the Future of Dating Apps
Taimi and Hily are primarily built for Gen Z, but the companies are already preparing for Gen Alpha. While LGBTQI+ dating remains a smaller market than heterosexual dating, Vygnan sees it growing as more people become comfortable openly identifying themselves. He argues that dating apps are here to stay, citing the ease of rejection and the access to a wider pool of potential partners.
## An Untapped Source of LGBTQI+ Dating Data
Taimi also sits on a significant body of data about LGBTQI+ dating, which the company uses for research and analysis. The company's research points to why LGBTQI+-specific dating platforms can serve a function beyond matching. For example, a 2026 survey of 1,200 LGBTQ+ adults found that 57% said dating apps significantly reduced the burden of repeatedly coming out.
| App | Heterosexual Focus | LGBTQI+ Focus | User Base | Women in User Base | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Hily | | | 20-23% | 30-35% | | Taimi | | | | |
The data suggests that Taimi and Hily are well-positioned to continue growing and expanding their user bases. As the companies prepare for potential IPOs, they will likely focus on improving their services and attracting new users. The future of dating apps looks bright, and Taimi and Hily are at the forefront of this trend.
