Steven Bartlett invests in Hati dating app Dragons Den – and if you caught the latest episode of the BBC’s hit show, you know exactly why this moment has everyone talking. In a room full of skeptical Dragons, entrepreneur Zaahirah Adam walked in with a bold vision for fixing what’s broken in online dating. She left with a £150,000 investment from Steven Bartlett for 30% equity. Despite the app showing just £48 in revenue at the time, Bartlett saw something special. Have you ever swiped endlessly only to end up ghosted or stuck in meaningless chats? Hati aims to change that forever.
This pitch wasn’t just another startup story. It highlighted how even in a crowded market dominated by giants like Tinder and Bumble, fresh ideas can still win big backing. Let’s dive deep into what happened when Steven Bartlett invests in Hati dating app Dragons Den, why it matters, and what it could mean for the future of finding love online.
Who Is Steven Bartlett? The Dragon with a Sharp Eye for Innovation
You’ve probably heard his name buzzing around business circles. Steven Bartlett is the youngest Dragon ever to join the Den, stepping in during Series 19 back in 2021. He’s not your typical investor – he’s an entrepreneur through and through. He co-founded Social Chain, a social media marketing powerhouse, and built The Diary of a CEO into one of the world’s most listened-to podcasts. His media company, Flight Story, and other ventures show he’s all about spotting trends early.
When Steven Bartlett invests in Hati dating app Dragons Den, it’s not random. Bartlett has connections in the tech and app world – he even mentioned knowing founders behind some of the biggest dating platforms. That insider knowledge gave him confidence that Hati could carve out its niche. Think of him as the guy who bets on people and ideas that disrupt the status quo, much like how he turned podcasting into a massive empire.
Introducing Hati: The Dating App That’s Saying No to Ghosting
Picture this: You match with someone cute, exchange a few messages, and then… silence. Ghosting hurts, right? It’s one of the biggest complaints in modern dating. Enter Hati – the dating app launched in 2025 by Zaahirah Adam as an antidote to all that frustration.
Hati flips the script completely. No endless texting allowed. Instead, every match triggers a mandatory five-minute phone call. It’s designed to spark real chemistry fast – hear someone’s voice, catch their vibe, and decide if it’s worth pursuing. Profiles feature voice and video clips rather than just static photos, making everything feel more authentic. To cut down on catfishing, users need verification plus vouching from three friends. It’s like having your buddies approve your dating profile before you hit “like.”
The name “Hati” means “heart” in Indonesian, which perfectly captures the mission: bringing heart back to dating in a swipe-right world. Zaahirah, with her background in strategy and personal experiences navigating apps like Tinder and Hinge, created Hati for intentional daters tired of superficial connections.
The Dragons’ Den Pitch: Tension, Tough Questions, and a Surprise Deal
The episode aired recently, and the pitch for Steven Bartlett invests in Hati dating app Dragons Den became instant water-cooler talk. Zaahirah entered the Den seeking investment to scale her pre-revenue (or barely revenue) app. The other Dragons – Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman – grilled her hard. Saturated market? Low revenue? High competition? They raised all the red flags.
But Steven Bartlett saw potential. He grilled her too, but in a way that showed genuine interest. Knowing dating app founders personally, he believed there’s room for a voice-first, anti-ghosting approach. After some negotiation back-and-forth, they struck a deal: £150,000 for 30% equity. It wasn’t the equity she originally wanted, but it was the perfect Dragon stepping up.
Other businesses pitched that night – like Kibu headphones and Club Cultured – but Hati’s story stood out for its human focus. The government’s IP blog even congratulated Hati on securing investment, noting the episode’s mix of innovative ideas.
Why Steven Bartlett Invests in Hati Dating App Dragons Den Makes Sense
You might wonder: Why put money into an app with almost no revenue? It’s a fair question. But Bartlett’s track record shows he invests in vision over immediate numbers. Dating apps generate billions globally, yet user burnout is real. People crave deeper connections post-pandemic.
Hati tackles pain points head-on:
- Eliminates ghosting by forcing voice interaction early.
- Builds authenticity with voice/video profiles and friend vouching.
- Speeds up real dates – no more weeks of texting without meeting.
Bartlett likely sees parallels to how podcasts disrupted traditional media – starting small but solving a real problem. His investment signals confidence that Hati can grow in a market hungry for change.
The Bigger Picture: How This Investment Could Reshape Online Dating
When Steven Bartlett invests in Hati dating app Dragons Den, it sends ripples through the industry. Dating apps have faced criticism for promoting quantity over quality. Features like endless swiping lead to fatigue. Hati’s model encourages quality matches from the start.
Imagine if more apps followed suit – shorter paths to real conversations, less anonymity for bad actors, more emphasis on voice as the ultimate filter. It could humanize an often dehumanizing space. Zaahirah’s story also inspires: From personal frustrations to building a solution, she’s proving solo founders can disrupt giants with the right backing.
Challenges Ahead for Hati After the Investment
No startup journey is smooth. Hati faces hurdles like user acquisition in a competitive space, scaling tech for voice calls, and proving retention. But with Bartlett’s network – think marketing know-how from Flight Story or intros to tech leaders – growth could accelerate.
The deal’s structure (higher equity for the investment) gives Bartlett skin in the game to push hard. Early revenue might have been tiny, but post-Den exposure often skyrockets downloads.
What Entrepreneurs Can Learn from This Dragons’ Den Moment
If you’re dreaming of pitching on TV or seeking investors, Steven Bartlett invests in Hati dating app Dragons Den offers key lessons. Persistence pays off – Zaahirah stayed composed under fire. Know your “why” deeply – her passion for fixing dating shone through. And target the right investor – she aimed for someone who understood apps.
It’s a reminder that bold ideas, even in crowded markets, can win if they solve real pain points authentically.
Conclusion: A Fresh Spark in the Dating World
Steven Bartlett invests in Hati dating app Dragons Den isn’t just a TV moment – it’s a bet on better dating. By backing an app that bans ghosting, prioritizes voice connections, and demands authenticity, Bartlett highlights a shift toward meaningful interactions. Zaahirah Adam’s vision, combined with his expertise, could redefine how we find love online. If you’re tired of superficial swiping, keep an eye on Hati. The future of dating might just sound a lot more human.
Ready to explore this further? Download Hati or follow updates – who knows, your next real connection could start with a five-minute call.
FAQs
What exactly happened when Steven Bartlett invests in Hati dating app Dragons Den?
In a recent episode, founder Zaahirah Adam pitched Hati, securing £150,000 from Steven Bartlett for 30% equity despite low initial revenue.
Why did Steven Bartlett invest in Hati dating app Dragons Den when other Dragons passed?
Bartlett’s connections to dating app founders gave him insight into market gaps. He saw Hati’s anti-ghosting, voice-first approach as having strong potential.
How does Hati differ from other dating apps featured in Steven Bartlett invests in Hati dating app Dragons Den coverage?
Hati bans texting after matching, requiring a five-minute call instead. It uses voice/video profiles and friend verification to promote genuine connections.
Is the deal from Steven Bartlett invests in Hati dating app Dragons Den finalized?
Yes, the on-air deal was agreed upon, with Bartlett investing £150,000 for 30% of the business.
What makes Hati a promising startup after Steven Bartlett invests in Hati dating app Dragons Den?
Its focus on solving ghosting and superficiality, plus Bartlett’s backing, positions it well for growth in the evolving dating app landscape.
