Hater Dating App Update | Shark Tank Season 9

Most dating apps match people based on what they like. But what if strong dislikes create a bond, too? This question, inspired by a series of psychological research on shared negativity, led Brendan Alper to create Hater, a dating app that connects people based on mutual hatred. Were the sharks interested in a deal? Let’s find out in our Hater update and pitch recap. 

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick overview of what happened to Hater after Shark Tank.

Brendan Alper entered Shark Tank Season 9 seeking $200,000 for 5% equity in his dating app, Hater. After his pitch, he got several offers from the sharks, but he ultimately reached an agreement with Mark Cuban for $200,000 in exchange for 10% equity.

In terms of a Hater update, unfortunately, the company went out of business shortly after the episode aired. Founder and creator Brendan has since moved on to a different venture.

Shark	Result
Mark Cuban	Accepted offer of $200,000 for 10% equity
Barbara Corcoran	$250,000 for just 5% equity (withdrawn)
Lori Greiner	$200,000 for 10% equity
Robert Herjavec	$250,000 for 15% equity
Rohan Oza	No offer

Shark Tank Hater Pitch

• Entrepreneurs: Brendan Alper
• Business: Dating App
• Ask: $200,000 for 5% equity
• Result: $200,000 for 10% equity
• Sharks: Mark Cuban

In 2016, the Hater dating app began as a joke but rapidly gained online attention. Brendan believed that people could form stronger bonds based on shared dislikes rather than mutual interests. 

The app officially launched in 2017 and quickly attracted over 30,000 daily active users within its first month.

Users swipe through various topics—from politics and celebrities to food and sports—indicating their preferences with a simple swipe system. 

This straightforward design aimed to facilitate easy interaction, even for those new to online dating. Hater’s algorithm leveraged the psychology behind shared dislikes to foster deeper connections. 

It provided users with a platform to express their authentic opinions, avoiding the forced positivity often found on other dating platforms.

By connecting individuals with similar dislikes, the app aimed to create a more genuine foundation for potential relationships.

Despite having 500,000 active users, Brendan admitted that the app had not yet been monetized.

He revealed that he had cleared out his 401K to raise $500,000 in venture funding to start the business. 

However, daily active user engagement remains a concern, currently ranging between 8,000 and 10,000, which Mark Cuban found unimpressive. 

The sharks began questioning how Brendan could ask for such significant funding and a high valuation without any sales.

Guest shark Rohan Oza was the first to drop out, citing the app’s low usage. Barbara made a generous offer of $250,000 for 5% equity, more than Brendan initially sought, but she wanted a quick response. 

Brendan then allowed Lori to make an offer of $200,000 for 10% equity, prompting Barbara to withdraw her initial offer. 

Mark Cuban offered $200,000 for 7.5% equity plus 2.5% in advisory shares, while Robert Herjavec offered $250,000 for 15% equity. 

With several offers on the table, Brendan ultimately accepted Mark Cuban’s offer.

Did Brendan make the right choice by accepting Mark’s offer? Let’s find out in our Hater update.

Shark Tank Hater Update

According to our Hater update research, Brendan and Mark finalized their deal after Shark Tank. However, the company went out of business shortly afterward in June 2019. 

There is not much information available on why Hater went out of business, but it seems likely that Brendan had trouble making the company profitable. 

After Hater shut down, Brendan moved to Sweden to develop a new mobile app called Everbloom. This app allows users to transform their videos into beautiful stories.

It seems he has completely abandoned the idea of the Hater Dating App.

Unfortunately, it looks like this will be our final Hater update.

You can find the other company updates from Season 9 Episode 12 here:

• Coco Taps Update
• EverlyWell Update
• Mush Update

Before you go, be sure to check out more company updates from Shark Tank Season 9!