Grindr Building Its Global Hub for Engineering Excellence in Chicago

In our March 7th edition of Business Pulse, we emphasized the importance of "pro-Chicago Decisions"—expansions and relocations that drive job creation, investment, and economic diversity. These strategic moves underscore why Chicago has been ranked the Top U.S. Metro for corporate relocation and site selection for 11 consecutive years. This week, we explore one such decision that reaffirms Chicago's enduring appeal as the premier destination for U.S. and global companies to start, relocate, expand, and thrive.

Grindr identified Chicago as an ideal market to anchor its growing engineering enterprise, recognizing the city's abundant local coding talent, affordable living, diverse public transit options, and the welcoming nature of its residents. For Grindr, this decision was about more than just business logistics; it was about finding a cultural fit. As a company that celebrates inclusivity and encourages living authentically, Chicago's vibrant and diverse community aligned perfectly with Grindr's values. This strategic expansion highlights how Chicago's unique strengths make it the perfect place for companies to grow and thrive.

After first understanding the key needs that Grindr required to move forward with its plans for an expanded footprint, the World Business Chicago (WBC) team deployed its expertise in business development, marketing and communications, and tech and innovation, to provide comprehensive support for Grindr to feel fully confident in making a pro-Chicago decision. 

Chicago is among the top U.S. metros with a diverse and robust pipeline of STEM talent pool fueled by our region's colleges and universities (e.g., visit America’s Urban Campus to get a glimpse of how much local talent we have).

WBC's ThinkChicago Director, Trenton Dunn, created an outreach campaign working with Joel Keating , SVP, Engineering & Chief Information Security Officer, Grindr. WBC's Business Development team added a former software product owner, Ellen Kaulig, into the mix to help deepen our understanding of the exact roles and depth of the talent pool sought by the company. From there, Ellen brought in WBC's expert leader on diverse talent and capital, VP Nicole McCarthy, for introductions to professional groups and meetups in the city's LGBTQIA+ tech community and others with specific tech experiences and networks. Representing WBC's Executive Leadership Team on this project was the economic development agency's head of marketing and communications, Andrew Hayes, who worked closely with Grindr’s creative genius, Tristan Pineiro VP of Brand and Content Marketing, and Grindr public relations consultant. Joanne Schioppi, to craft plans to maximize the company's pro-Chicago announcement.

Over the next few months, the World Business Chicago and Grindr teams held regular meetings to push forward various initiatives. For site selection, Grindr partnered with @properties to find the perfect downtown location. Ellen, the lead for WBC's business development team, identified numerous incentives at the state, county, and city levels to support workforce growth. With a clear understanding of Grindr's goals, values, and mission, Ellen and the WBC Research team conducted comprehensive research on workforce availability and quality of life in Chicago.

Meanwhile, Andrew collaborated with the mayor's press office to secure the city's enthusiastic endorsement of Grindr's expansion, emphasizing the importance of a diverse and inclusive company choosing Chicago. Recognizing the talent-driven nature of this project, Trent and Nicole developed a detailed plan outlining the various levels of talent and workforce Grindr aimed to attract and hire. This coordinated effort ensured that Grindr's expansion would be seamlessly integrated into the city's thriving tech landscape.

Economic development is an activity centered around engagement and strong relationships. This cross-functional team across two organizations, and three time zones, built and executed a solid plan towards a shared goal: to make Chicago the best tech and engineering headquarters for Grindr. Within five months of the initial kick-off meeting, Grindr announced news of its expanding footprint in Chicago via this press release. Soon thereafter, the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, Windy City Times, and other media picked up the story—which tied nicely into the broader #WhyChicago marketing campaign led by World Business Chicago over the last couple of years.

“I could not be more excited to celebrate the opening of Grindr’s engineering hub in Chicago,” said Grindr CEO George Arison. “With its leading business community and its vast talent pipeline, Chicago represents the ideal location for Grindr to expand its vital engineering function as we continue to grow our team and work to create a world where the lives of our users are free, equal, and just.”

Chicago is poised to benefit significantly from Grindr's expansion, which will bring up to 100 new tech and engineering jobs to the city. This strategic move not only marks a period of significant growth for Grindr but also delivers a substantial boost to the local economy. The addition of these roles offers valuable opportunities for both current residents and the city's vibrant business community, further solidifying Chicago's status as a leading hub for tech talent and innovation.

The expansion highlights Chicago's appeal as a prime location for tech talent and innovation. Grindr's decision to establish its engineering headquarters here underscores the city's strength in fostering a vibrant, diverse, and inclusive tech community. The buzz this company expansion is making continues to grow, Grindr even got a shout-out on June 29th from BuiltIn Chicago.

"We welcome Grindr's strategic decision to expand its engineering presence in Chicago," said Mayor Brandon Johnson . "Chicago's diverse business landscape offers an ideal environment for the company's continued growth and innovation. Our city is renowned for its 77 diverse neighborhoods and vibrant LGBTQIA+ community; Grindr will find ample opportunities to thrive and connect with our city's rich tapestry of talent and culture. We anticipate that Grindr's expansion will not only bolster our city's tech sector but also contribute to our ongoing efforts to foster a vibrant and inclusive business environment."

Following the announcement of its expanded footprint in Chicago and its declaration that the city is the best place to grow its global tech advancements, Grindr held its first investor day, unveiling innovative plans to further evolve and enhance its offerings. The company detailed its strategy to shift more towards facilitating long-term dating, a move driven by user demand and industry trends. With more than half of its users seeking long-term relationships, Grindr plans to introduce eight new products, including an AI-powered dating "wingman" to assist users in building profiles, finding matches, and starting conversations.

This ambitious plan has already generated significant investor confidence, with Grindr's shares rising 14%, reaching their highest close since November 2022. The stock has climbed 32% this year, reflecting strong market support for the company's vision. Additionally, Grindr raised its revenue outlook for the year, projecting at least 25% growth, and forecasted annual revenue growth of 20% to 25% through 2027. These developments not only highlight Grindr's commitment to innovation but also underscore Chicago's role as a critical hub for the company's continued success and technological advancement.

This week's Business Pulse was authored by Ellen Kaulig , Business Development Manager, World Business Chicago. Interested in learning how Ellen and the entire WBC team can support your company's interest in expansion and growth in Chicago? Send us a DM and we'll happily connect.