Gay Dating App Blued Buys Into Hornet To Boost Global Expansion

Blued, a Chinese gay flirting app, has entered a strategic partnership with U.S.-based dating app Hornet in an attempt to spread its popularity around the globe. As a part of the cooperation, Blued will invest an undisclosed sum as an extension of the 8 million USD A round Hornet announced in November.

Hornet, which claims to be the world’s second largest gay social network, has now registered over 15 million total users with 3 million monthly active users. The company has grown rapidly over the last year through the acquisition of gay city guide Vespa and LGBT content provider Unicorn Booty. Although Grindr and Scruff may dominate in the U.S., Hornet says it is the number one network in France, Russia, and Brazil.

It is worth noting that Ventech China, a shared investor behind the two companies, may have played a significant role in this partnership. As the leading investor in Hornet’s A round, Ventech China also participated in Blued’s C round.

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