Hater Dating App Update | Shark Tank Season 9
Most dating apps focus on bringing people together based on shared interests, but what if mutual dislikes could be just as powerful?
That’s the concept behind Hater, a dating app that connects users based on what they hate.
The unconventional idea caught the attention of the Shark Tank investors when founder Brendan Alper pitched it in Season 9.
But where is the company today? Did the investment from Mark Cuban pay off?
In this Hater Dating App Shark Tank update, we’ll recap the pitch, summarize each Shark’s response, and explore what happened after the show.
Hater Dating App’s Shark Tank Pitch Recap
Founder and Business Overview
- Entrepreneur: Brendan Alper
- Business Model: A dating app that matches people based on shared dislikes
- Founded: 2016
- App Launched: 2017
- Initial Traction: 500,000+ users at its peak
Funding Ask
- Brendan entered Shark Tank seeking $200,000 for 5% equity, valuing Hater at $4 million.
The Sharks’ Responses
| Shark | Offer | Reason for Investment/Rejection |
| Mark Cuban | $200,000 for 10% equity | Impressed by the app’s virality but concerned about engagement. The final deal was accepted. |
| Barbara Corcoran | $250,000 for 5% equity (withdrawn) | Liked the concept but wanted a quick decision. |
| Lori Greiner | $200,000 for 10% equity | Saw potential but didn’t push hard enough. |
| Robert Herjavec | $250,000 for 15% equity | Wanted a larger stake due to risk. |
| Rohan Oza | No offer | Concerned about low user engagement. |
The Final Deal
After considering multiple offers, Brendan accepted Mark Cuban’s offer of $200,000 for 10% equity.
What Happened to Hater After Shark Tank?
Unfortunately, despite securing an investment from Mark Cuban, Hater shut down in June 2019.
While initially seeing strong traction, the app struggled with long-term user engagement and monetization.
Here’s a breakdown of the company’s journey after Shark Tank:
Sales & Revenue Growth (Post-Shark Tank)
| Year | Key Milestones |
| 2017 | Over 30,000 daily active users within the first month |
| 2018 | Reached 500,000+ total users but struggled with engagement |
| 2019 | Businesses shut down due to a lack of profitability |
Retail Expansion & Distribution Deals
Unlike traditional dating apps that rely on premium memberships or ads, Hater had no clear monetization plan.
The app never secured major advertising deals or subscription-based revenue models, contributing to its downfall.
New Product Launches & Strategic Partnerships
After shutting down Hater, founder Brendan Alper moved on to create Everbloom, a mobile app designed to help users turn their videos into creative stories.
This marked a complete shift away from the dating industry.
Why Did Hater Fail?
Several factors contributed to the downfall of Hater:
✅ Strong Initial Virality – The app gained massive media attention and quickly attracted users.
❌ Lack of Monetization – Sustaining operations became difficult with no clear revenue model.
❌ Low User Engagement – While the app had high downloads, daily engagement numbers were weak.
❌ Niche Appeal – The idea of matching based on dislikes was unique but didn’t translate into lasting relationships.
Final Thoughts: Lessons from Hater’s Journey
The Hater Dating App Shark Tank story serves as a cautionary tale for startups in the tech space.
While a viral idea can create an initial buzz, long-term success requires a clear revenue strategy and strong user retention.
Brendan Alper’s journey shows the resilience of an entrepreneur—despite Hater’s failure, he pivoted to a new venture, proving that setbacks can lead to new opportunities.
Would you have used the Hater dating app? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
