Exclusive: Tiger Global-backed Kutumb enters gay dating space with Polo

Bengaluru-based community platform Kutumb has expanded into the online dating space with the rollout of Polo, a dedicated gay dating application that is currently available on the Google Play Store.

As per its Play Store listing, Polo offers features such as selfie-based profile verification, smart matchmaking, instant messaging, and audio and video calling. It also enables users to create private photo albums and use interest-based filters, including age and location.

The company has not made a formal announcement regarding the launch.

The availability of Polo comes as Kutumb continues to build consumer internet products beyond its core community-first social networking platform. Besides Polo, Kutumb operates several consumer applications across categories such as astrology, lifestyle, social, and utilities. These include Tarot99, Astro99, Digi God, Piku AI, Zuno, Zumo, and Digital Baby.

In June 2021, Kutumb raised $26 million in a Series A funding round led by Tiger Global, with participation from Quiet Capital, Rocketship VC, Nirman Investments, AngelList Syndicate, and angel investors.

For FY25, Kutumb’s revenue from operations increased 173% year-on-year to Rs 128.6 crore from Rs 47.2 crore in FY24. The firm reported a net profit of Rs 12 crore during the fiscal, compared to a loss of Rs 3 crore in FY24.

As per sources, Polo is currently generating around Rs 5 crore in monthly revenue. Queries sent to Kutumb didn’t elicit any immediate response.

Polo enters India’s LGBTQ+ dating market, where platforms such as Grindr, ROMEO, u2nite, HiMoon, and RainbowLuv are already active. The segment is smaller than mainstream dating apps but is growing steadily, mainly in urban areas. User safety, privacy, profile verification, and moderation are important, as concerns around fake accounts, harassment, and data security can directly affect user trust and retention.