Woo Acquires L.A.-Based Dating App for South Asians

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Woo, an India-based dating app, has acquired L.A.’s Dus, an app designed for South Asian singles in the United States.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Dus, much like Austin’s Bumble, requires female users to initiate conversations. It also offers a private mode that allows users to remain anonymous from friends or family that also use the app.

Sumesh Menon, Woo’s chief executive, said in a February interview with The Times of India that about 150,000 people use Dus. Woo was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in Gurgaon, India. Dus launched in 2015 and was co-founded by Shawn Sheikh, its chief executive, and Sahil Diwan, its chief technology officer.

The acquisition is part of a major push by Woo to expand its reach beyond India, according to a statement. Menon, in the February interview, said Woo is actively looking for acquisitions in Australia, the United Kingdom, and Canada.

Dus’ leadership team will work with Woo to customize user features and plan its international growth strategy.

“Our goal has always been to promote freedom of choice when it comes to dating, along with generally helping Desis meeting each other,” said Dus’ Sheikh, in the statement. “The Woo acquisition will provide us with the resources to continue to do just that.”

Representatives from Woo and Dus could not be reached for comment.

Reporter Kat Speed can be reached at [email protected].

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