‘Users want it': Grindr is now selling erectile dysfunction drugs
Grindr CEO George Arison says the company performed internal research that found more than a third of its users take erectile dysfunction drugs. 'That gave us a very clear opportunity,' he tells Fast Company in an exclusive, in-depth interview on how he's growing Grindr's scope. 'Users want it, but they're buying these products from companies that in no way speak to who they are.'
With Woodwork, Grindr is working with telehealth provider OpenLoop to connect users to clinicians who will prescribe compounded versions of common erectile dysfunction drugs tadalafil (Cialis) or sildenafil (Viagra) that dissolve in the mouth. The company said OpenLoop clinicians have received inclusive care training and Grindr offers educational materials tailored to the LGBTQ community.
'There's a set of warnings [with Woodwork prescriptions] that are actually very specific to our users,' Arison says. 'I don't think most services like this would say, 'Do not take this medication with poppers.' We do.'
Woodwork is Grindr's first foray into telemedicine, but it's part of a push from the company to add a host of features—including several powered by AI, like a chatbot for improving messages—to show that it can be more of a social network for LGBTQ users. Arison has called this his effort to make the app into a 'global gayborhood in your pocket.' In the past few months, Grindr has expanded its 'Right Now' feature (which lets users signal to each other that they're looking for a quick hookup) to 15 additional markets, including London, New York, Paris, and Chicago.
Arison also told Fast Company he wants to add more standard dating features to the app to satisfy users who are looking for relationships. 'For our users' sake, we need to offer them better dating experiences and better dating features to satisfy their needs,' he says.
In March, Grindr reported a 33% year-over-year increase in revenue in 2024. Its share price is up 70% over the past year. That's as companies behind more traditional dating apps—in particular Match Group—struggle, especially among younger users.
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