Score, the dating app tailored for individuals with good to excellent credit, quietly ceased operations in early August, as confirmed by the company to TechCrunch.
Originally intended as a temporary pop-up app, Score was initially set to last only 90 days when it launched in February. However, due to high user interest, Neon Money Club, the app’s parent company, decided to extend its availability for six months. During this period, Score amassed around 18,000 users, facilitated 8,000 matches, and collected valuable insights into the dating landscape.
“Score was designed to raise awareness about credit health and spark broader discussions on the topic,” said Luke Bailey, co-founder of Neon Money Club. “We achieved our goal and always made it clear that this was a temporary project.”
Regarding the potential for acquisition, Bailey noted that larger dating companies are already occupied with maintaining app relevance. He expressed openness to sharing their findings with industry leaders.
Score’s data provided intriguing insights into current dating trends. The app, which adhered to strict data protection standards, revealed that millennial users had the highest credit scores among age groups, with a significant gender gap: millennial men averaged an 11% higher score than women. Generation Z showed a narrowing gap, with men holding a 3% higher score, while Gen X had the smallest gender disparity at just 0.4%.
Bailey highlighted the concerning disparity among millennial men and women, attributing it to the high costs associated with higher education and student loans. He expressed hope that future generations might overcome these financial challenges and urged policymakers to address this economic gender gap.
The app sparked debate upon its launch, with some praising its concept and others criticizing it as classist. Bailey countered these criticisms, emphasizing that Score’s mission was to connect people focused on financial health and provide educational resources on credit management.
Neon Money Club, founded in 2021, aims to promote financial literacy and recently became the first Black-owned tech company to introduce a credit card with AMEX. While Bailey indicated that another dating app is unlikely, he hinted at future projects involving their AMEX card, Time investing account, and a new wellness studio.
“We’re developing impactful content in our unique style that we believe will significantly influence the financial sector and beyond,” Bailey said. “Stay tuned.”
