Key Takeaways
- Justin McLeod is stepping down as CEO of Hinge so he can focus on Overtone, an AI dating service that will bring his vision for responsible AI usage to life.
- Overtone was developed with Match Group and Hinge’s support, giving the startup a vital financial leg up in the overcrowded dating industry.
- Hinge President and CMO Jackie Jantos will take McLeod’s place as CEO and assume the goal to sustain Hinge’s revenue growth throughout 2026.
Hinge announced on Wednesday that the app’s co-founder and longtime CEO, Justin McLeod, is stepping down to lead a new venture in the dating app space: an AI dating service called Overtone.
Taking his place as CEO is Jackie Jantos, who until now has been President and CMO at Hinge. With her sharp marketing skills, keen eye for consumer needs, and leadership background, Jantos will usher Hinge into a new era.
In a press release, Match Group made it clear that these leadership changes are something to celebrate: “This transition underscores Match Group’s focus on innovation and on strengthening the category through apps that deepen human connection.”
The dating industry has never been more unpredictable, making any C-suite changes at this level a risky move. This is especially true considering McLeod’s successful run as CEO of Hinge.
McLeod’s forward-looking vision is a big part of the app’s rare success at a time when other dating apps seem stuck in the past. Now, McLeod hopes his focus on AI will spell success with Overtone — and so does Match Group.
As a spinout, Overtone has the rare benefit of internal support and expertise from both Hinge and Match Group, giving the company a much-needed advantage as it joins the oversaturated dating industry.
McLeod Champions Responsible AI at Hinge and Overtone
Match Group describes Overtone as a “standalone AI-driven venture,” with McLeod laser-focused on AI innovation. The dating service plans to offer AI and voice tools to people in the early stages of the dating process.
McLeod’s transition to becoming Overtone’s CEO has long been in the works. He and a team at Hinge have reportedly been developing the project throughout 2025.
AI is a controversial topic, and McLeod has strong feelings on the matter. “I don’t think that an AI chatbot should be your friend or certainly not your boyfriend or girlfriend,” McLeod said in an episode of the podcast Masters of Scale in August.
“It certainly shouldn’t be something that we start engaging with as an end in itself just for entertainment or, I would say, artificial intimacy or artificial connection,” he added. Overtone, then, intends to harness AI to create real value for daters.
For McLeod, tech’s role is to deepen real connection, not to replace it. This has been the key to Hinge’s success over the years, even as dating app fatigue actively threatens apps’ cultural relevance. Rascoff said it himself in Match Group’s Q2 report:
“Simply put, Hinge is crushing it,” he said. “Hinge’s success should put to rest any doubts about whether the online dating category is out of favor among users.”
Overtone Gets a Boost from Match Group and Hinge
With Hinge on track to achieve year-over-year revenue growth, it’s a rare bright spot in an industry where apps seem to be going dark.
McLeod’s long tenure — and proven success — as Hinge’s CEO was undoubtedly a factor in Match Group’s decision to invest in Overtone during its early development.
“Justin has been an extraordinary innovator and world-class founder, taking Hinge from an early idea to a global leader in intentional dating,” Rascoff said. Now, Rascoff is (literally) banking on McLeod once again catching lightning in a bottle.
Both Hinge and Match Group provided pre-seed financing for Overtone, and Match Group will continue to be a pseudo-mentor for the startup as it enters its initial funding round in 2026.
McLeod’s strong track record makes it hard for Hinge to see him go, which explains why Match Group plans to have “a substantial ownership position” at Overtone. This way, Match Group keeps McLeod and McLeod keeps Match Group — a win-win all around.
Despite Match Group’s heavy involvement (and investment) in Overtone’s success — Match Group CEO Spencer Rascoff plans to join Overtone’s Board of Directors — the company emphasizes that Overtone “will operate independently as it continues development.”
Jantos Takes the Helm with Proven Experience
McLeod looks back on Hinge with pride. “Building Hinge has been the privilege of my life, and I’m incredibly proud of what the team has created,” he said. “The company’s momentum, including being on track to reach $1 billion in revenue by 2027, gives me full confidence in where Hinge is headed.”
Of course, Match Group isn’t about to put Hinge in just anyone’s hands.
Jackie Jantos’s leadership experience and track record makes her a natural choice to step in as CEO. She’s transitioning to the role after four years of leadership roles at the company, including as President and Chief Marketing Officer.
During her time at Hinge, Jantos has helped the company retain brand relevance, and not only with Gen Z, but on an international level. Hinge’s international expansion throughout Europe and Latin America will undoubtedly continue under her leadership in 2026.
As Overtone focuses on providing AI tools for Gen Z daters, Hinge remains dedicated to its matchmaking roots. “Hinge’s mission to help people find meaningful, in-person relationships has never been more important,” Jantos said.
She added, “Our focus will remain on intentional innovation that is grounded in culture, creativity, and a deep understanding of how people connect today.”
Hinge’s future will undoubtedly involve more AI innovations — and so will Match Group’s, if its connection to Overtone is any indication.
