Coffee Meets Bagel’s net worth has soared to an estimated $180 million in 2025, establishing itself as one of the most successful dating apps in the market. Three sisters started this modest venture that has reshaped the scene into a dating platform with an impressive $16 million in annual revenue.
Coffee Meets Bagel’s rise tells quite a story. The app reached the $1 million revenue milestone in November 2023, which substantially exceeded its early days when the founders reported just $87,000 in 2013. Recent research points to the platform now generating over $25 million yearly and boasting more than 3 million paid subscribers.
This piece heads over to the fascinating financial progress of Coffee Meets Bagel, the game-changing Shark Tank appearance that spotlighted the app, and how the Kang sisters built their dating empire. The company has secured over $31 million in venture capital and maintains a strong workforce of 67 employees.
Coffee Meets Bagel Net Worth and Revenue Growth
Coffee Meets Bagel’s financial trip has been remarkable since 2012. Let’s get into how this dating platform grew from a startup into a multimillion-dollar enterprise.
Latest net worth estimates in 2025
Coffee Meets Bagel’s net worth reaches an estimated $150 million in 2025. This valuation shows the app’s substantial growth, which comes from its unique approach to online dating. The platform has helped create over 100,000 successful couples worldwide. These numbers show both its financial and social effect in the dating industry.
The company brings in about $36 million in yearly revenue as of 2024. This revenue substantially adds to its overall valuation. The app ranks among the top-performing dating apps financially, especially when you have its modest beginnings in mind.
Annual revenue trends since 2012
The revenue story started small in 2012. The company earned just $87,000 in 2013 and grew to $270,000 in the first half of 2014. The app hit a major milestone in 2018 when it earned over $10 million through iOS alone.
Sensor Tower data shows first quarter 2018 revenue reached about $1.5 million – a soaring 154% year-over-year growth. The company earned over $900,000 monthly from in-app revenues by late 2018.
The founders’ strong financial discipline helped achieve EBITDA profitability quickly. Coffee Meets Bagel reached the $1 million revenue mark in November 2023. iOS users brought in about $800,000 while Android users added $400,000 to that total.
Breakdown of in-app purchases and subscriptions
Coffee Meets Bagel makes money through two main channels:
- Subscription Model: The company launched a premium subscription at $35 monthly in 2017. Users now pay about $33 per month to access:
- Other profiles’ statistics
- Activity tracking capabilities
- Enhanced profile visibility
- In-App Purchases: Users can buy “coffee beans,” the app’s virtual currency. Each bean costs around two cents. Some premium features need up to 95 beans, which creates steady extra income.
Each subscriber brought in an average of $39 annually in 2016. This shows how well the app turns users into revenue. The company also makes money through advertising partnerships. These diverse income streams have helped fuel its impressive growth.
The Shark Tank Moment That Changed Everything
Coffee Meets Bagel’s path changed dramatically after their memorable 2015 appearance on ABC’s “Shark Tank.” This episode became one of the show’s most talked-about moments.
The pitch: $500K for 5% equity
The Kang sisters—Dawoon, Arum, and Soo—walked onto the Shark Tank stage with confidence. They asked for $500,000 for 5% equity, which valued their dating app at $10 million. Their pitch showcased Coffee Meets Bagel’s unique approach. Users received one high-quality match (or “bagel”) each day from their Facebook friends’ networks. The sisters seemed hesitant to share exact user numbers. They only mentioned having “between 100,000 and 500,000” users. The app’s revenue jumped from $87,000 in 2013 to $270,000 in the first half of 2014. However, they admitted they weren’t making a profit yet.
Mark Cuban’s $30M offer and its rejection
The sisters were ready to leave empty-handed until Mark Cuban surprised everyone. He wanted to buy the entire company for $30 million—the biggest offer in Shark Tank history. The studio went quiet. After a commercial break, the Kangs stunned viewers across America by saying no.
“We see this business growing as big as Match.com,” Arum explained, pointing to the dating giant’s $800 million yearly revenue. The sisters believed in their vision so much that they walked away from this life-changing opportunity.
Effect of Shark Tank exposure on app downloads
The TV appearance turned out to be a great opportunity. App downloads surged right after the episode aired. The exposure helped them secure $7.8 million in Series A funding just weeks later in February 2015. They raised another $12 million in Series B funding in 2018. CEO Dawoon Kang said in a 2019 interview that she had no regrets about turning down Cuban’s offer. The app reached 10 million users—way more than what they mentioned on the show.
The Founders Behind the Brand
Three sisters changed the landscape of online dating with Coffee Meets Bagel. Their remarkable story weaves together family values, entrepreneurial drive, and their mission to create meaningful connections.
Who are the Kang sisters?
Three Korean-American sisters founded the dating app: Dawoon, Arum, and Soo Kang. Twins Dawoon and Arum were 32 years old during their Shark Tank appearance, while their older sister Soo was 35. Each sister brought unique expertise – Dawoon’s background came from JPMorgan, Arum held an MBA from Harvard Business School, and Soo added her design expertise from working with prominent brands like Marc Jacobs and Sally Hansen.
Early life and entrepreneurial roots
The Kang sisters grew up in South Korea, where entrepreneurship shaped their early years. Their father ran a metal recycling business with their uncle, showing them what business ownership meant. Their father remembers, “Everything we do is new, there’s a lot of uncertainty involved, and it’s very stressful… but I think we do a good job navigating through that”.
The sisters moved to the United States for high school education. They landed in Hawaii, which their father called “literally, a paradise”. This move away from home strengthened their bond. Jin Soo Kang reflected, “I was able to do it because I knew that they would be there for each other if one needed help”.
Why they created Coffee Meets Bagel
The sisters came up with Coffee Meets Bagel in 2011 after seeing how dating frustrated their friends, especially women. Research into online dating revealed an interesting fact – men outnumbered women by almost two to one (65% to 35%).
The team built a platform that put women’s dating needs first. “We figured if we can create a brand that’s exciting for women, it would be exciting for guys as well,” Dawoon explained. Unlike other apps that focused on “swiping and entertainment,” they emphasized “safety and quality and intentional dating and relationships”.
Arum graduated from Harvard in 2012, and Dawoon left her JPMorgan position to launch the app with her sisters. This marked the beginning of their path toward building a multimillion-dollar dating empire.
Funding, Valuation, and Business Expansion
Coffee Meets Bagel has carefully raised funds to accelerate its growth in the competitive dating app market.
Series A and B funding rounds
The dating app started with a $600,000 seed round in September 2012. Lightbank and Match.com co-founder Peng T. Ong led this round. The company’s appearance on Shark Tank helped them secure a $7.8 million Series A round in February 2015. DCM Ventures took the lead. UK-based Atami Capital later led a $12 million Series B in May 2018. The company’s total funding reached approximately $23.2 million from five rounds.
Investors and celebrity backers
The company attracted support from various investors. Azure Capital and Quest Venture Partners joined Series A, while GingerBread Capital participated in Series B. Co-CEO Arum Kang emphasized the value of having women investors. She believed it was essential to have a woman’s point of view at the investor level. Hollywood actor Chris Tucker also invested $500,000 in the company. His equity later grew to nearly $7.2 million.
International expansion and leadership changes
Series B funding helped Coffee Meets Bagel expand globally. The company first entered Hong Kong in 2015. Dawoon Kang suggested they might launch in South Korea next. Recent years brought major leadership shifts. Quincy Yang started as CFO in 2018 and became CEO for U.S. and Canada markets. Co-founder Arum Kang now serves as an advisor. Shn Juay leads markets outside North America as CEO of CMB Worldwide.
Conclusion
Coffee Meets Bagel has become a game-changer in the competitive dating app industry. The platform started with just $87,000 in revenue in 2013 and now holds a staggering $150 million valuation. The Kang sisters made a bold move when they turned down Mark Cuban’s massive $30 million buyout offer. Their gut feeling about competing with giants like Match.com showed remarkable business insight.
The app’s growth story stands out because of its unique approach. Unlike other dating platforms that relied on swiping mechanics, Coffee Meets Bagel put women’s priorities first and focused on quality matches. This strategy pulled in millions of users and caught investor attention, leading to over $31 million in venture funding.
Their revenue strategy works brilliantly. The app’s premium subscriptions and clever “coffee beans” virtual currency system create steady income that grows year after year. The platform’s reach now extends to international markets, making it a true global player in online dating.
Three sisters’ story lies at the heart of this success. They took their deep understanding of dating challenges and built it into a multimillion-dollar enterprise. Their combined expertise in finance, business, and design laid the perfect groundwork to create a dating service that really works for its users.
Today’s Coffee Meets Bagel shows how clear vision, smart money moves, and the guts to say no to tempting offers can lead to amazing results. The app’s evolution from startup to matchmaker for over 100,000 happy couples worldwide proves its financial success and its real effect on how people find meaningful connections.
FAQs
Q1. How much is Coffee Meets Bagel worth in 2025?
Coffee Meets Bagel’s estimated net worth is $150 million as of 2023, reflecting its significant growth in the dating app market.
Q2. What makes Coffee Meets Bagel different from other dating apps?
Coffee Meets Bagel focuses on providing users with one high-quality match daily, prioritizing safety, quality, and intentional dating over swiping-based mechanics.
Q3. How do the founders of Coffee Meets Bagel generate revenue?
The app generates revenue through premium subscriptions, in-app purchases of “coffee beans” (virtual currency), and advertising collaborations.
Q4. Did Coffee Meets Bagel accept Mark Cuban’s offer on Shark Tank?
No, the Kang sisters turned down Mark Cuban’s $30 million offer to buy the entire company, believing in their vision for greater growth potential.
Q5. How has Coffee Meets Bagel expanded internationally?
Coffee Meets Bagel has expanded to markets like Hong Kong and has separate leadership for markets outside North America, with plans for further international growth.