Match Group has appointed tech industry veteran Spencer Rascoff as its new Chief Executive Officer, marking a significant leadership change at the company behind popular dating applications like Tinder, Match.com, Hinge, OkCupid, and Pairs.
Rascoff, who joined Match Group’s board in March 2024, is stepping into the role previously held by Bernard Kim, who is departing from both his CEO position and board membership. The Dallas-based company’s new leader brings extensive experience in the technology sector, most notably as the co-founder of Zillow Group, where he served as CEO for nearly a decade.
During his tenure at Zillow, which he helped establish in 2005, Rascoff led the real estate technology company through substantial growth and transformation. Under his leadership, the company expanded from 200 to over 4,000 employees, successfully navigated an initial public offering, and saw its annual revenue surge from $30 million to $1.3 billion. His strategic vision also guided Zillow through 15 corporate acquisitions before his departure as CEO in February 2019.
Expressing enthusiasm about his new role, Rascoff highlighted Match Group’s legacy of innovation in the dating and relationships sphere. “Match Group has established itself as an industry pioneer,
consistently setting new standards for how people connect,” he stated, adding that he looks forward to building upon the company’s momentum to enhance the experience for its global user base of tens of millions.
Rascoff’s entrepreneurial journey extends beyond Zillow. He co-founded the online travel marketplace Hotwire and more recently established Pacaso, a startup aimed at democratizing vacation home ownership. His ventures also include co-founding dotLA, a media and events company, and launching a social media platform focused on food with his teenage daughter, called Recon Food.
The tech executive’s experience includes significant involvement in corporate governance, having served on the boards of several prominent technology companies including Palantir, TripAdvisor, and Zulily. His departure from Zillow was completed in 2020, approximately one year after stepping down as CEO, when he resigned from the company’s board.
This appointment comes at a crucial time for Match Group, as the company continues to evolve in the dynamic online dating marketplace. Rascoff’s track record of scaling technology companies and driving innovation positions him to lead Match Group’s portfolio of dating platforms into their next phase of growth and development.
His expertise in digital transformation and history of successful leadership in consumer technology aligns with Match Group’s position as a dominant force in the online dating industry. The company’s suite of dating apps serves a diverse global audience, and Rascoff’s appointment suggests a continued focus on technological innovation and market expansion.
The leadership transition represents a new chapter for Match Group, bringing together the company’s established success in digital dating with Rascoff’s proven ability to grow and scale technology businesses. His background in real estate technology and online marketplaces, combined with his experience in managing multiple acquisitions and driving substantial revenue growth, provides a strong foundation for guiding Match Group’s future strategic initiatives.