What led you to start your own company?
Mateen: We found the process of meeting new people to be very inefficient and wanted to build a social platform that effectively connects you with new people nearby in a simple and efficient manner.
What was the biggest challenge?
Mateen: Early on our biggest challenge was getting users to believe in our vision. Now that we are growing at an overwhelming rate, our biggest challenge is scaling the product to meet demand.
Rad: Success comes from aligning the best talent around a clearly defined vision and set of objectives. Finding the best talent is a challenge.
What was the most important lesson you learned?
Mateen: Starting a business is not as glamorous as it sounds. You have to put your business before everything and execute perfectly if you want to have a chance at succeeding. If you are going to fail, fail quickly and try again.
How many hours a day do you put in?
Rad: I’m always working. Tinder has happily consumed my life.
Does your youth lead to awkward situations, such as when you supervise older workers?
Mateen: I’ve found that as long as you are passionate and get people to buy into your vision, that anyone, regardless of their age, will give it their all as well.
Rad: I feel like I’m one of the “older workers” you’re referring to.
Will you start another company?
Rad: We’re only getting started. I can see myself spending a lifetime helping us reach our vision.
Could you ever work for someone else?
Mateen: I can’t see myself working for a company unless I was an integral part of creating it. It is very rare to not have to report to anyone, whether an investor or board. Right now, I feel like I am reporting to our millions of users.
Rad: Anyone who says they don’t serve somebody would be lying.
What do you do to relax?
Mateen: I am learning how to meditate. I’m not quite sure if it is working or not.
Rad: I like to go for long walks.
JUSTIN MATEEN, 28
SEAN RAD, 27
Tinder, a location-based dating and matchmaking app, West Hollywood
Employees: 32
Financials: Prerevenue.
