Flure is the first explorationship app – a safe, playful space for real connection without pressure or predefined labels. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Flure Head of Marketing Antony Neverov to learn more about the company.
Antony Neverov’s Background
What is Antony Neverov’s background? Neverov said:
“I’ve taken kind of an unexpected route into the dating world. I started my career in global ad agencies, working with brands like IKEA and Lexus, which taught me a lot about building emotional connections through storytelling.”
“Later, I moved in-house at a large home goods company, leading content and brand strategy — and funny enough, it was while working on mattresses that I ended up getting pulled into dating. One of those ‘wait, how did I end up here?’ moments — but in the best way.”
“Since then, I’ve spent nearly five years in the dating space, and what’s kept me so engaged is how fast everything evolves. The biggest shift I’ve seen — and the one I’m most excited about — is this move toward explorationships: a more open, pressure-free way of connecting where people can just meet, explore, and figure things out naturally. It feels like the future of dating, and I’m excited to help shape it.”
Formation Of The Company
How did the idea for the company come together? Neverov shared:
“The current vision of Flure came from a pretty simple, but very real, insight: most dating apps ask you to define what you’re looking for before you’ve even met anyone. Are you here for something serious? Just for fun? It all feels kind of forced. We wanted to create something that felt more natural and human.”
“That said, we didn’t land on the idea of explorationships right away. It was something that evolved as we kept building, learning, and listening to people. But from day one, our core values never changed: dating shouldn’t be stigmatized, sex-positivity should be the norm, and women’s safety has to be the top priority — always.”
“So Flure became a space where people could connect without pressure or labels. You don’t have to define everything upfront. You just meet, talk, and see what happens. We like to say we’re not a dating app in the traditional sense — Flure is an Explorationship App. It’s about letting connections unfold in a way that feels right for you.”
Favorite Memory
What has been your favorite memory working for the company so far? Neverov reflected:
“One of my favorite memories was watching the first time someone signed up on Flure in real life during a campus activation. It was this totally random, rainy day — we were handing out cookies, people were skeptical, phones were wet — and then, someone scanned the QR code, downloaded the app, and actually said: ‘Oh wow, this is kind of refreshing.’”
“It was such a small moment, but I’ll never forget it. Because that’s when I realized — this isn’t just strategy, or slides, or branding. It’s real people responding to something we built. Seeing that connection click, even for one person, made all the late nights and pivot meetings completely worth it.”
“Plus, cookies. Never underestimate the power of cookies in user acquisition.”
Core Products
What are the company’s core products and features? Neverov explained:
“Our one and only core product is Flure, available across three platforms: iOS, Android, and web. What really makes Flure different is what we don’t do — and that starts with relationship goals. Research shows that most people — especially Gen Z — don’t want to be boxed in like that. In fact, a 2023 Pew Research study found that over 50% of daters under 30 say their goals change depending on the person and the vibe. We built Flure around that truth.”
“On Flure, there’s no pressure to choose a label or define your intentions before you even meet someone. You just add, chat, and see where it goes. No labels, no pressure. We call it explorationship — meeting people without expectations and letting things unfold naturally.”
“And then there’s how we design the experience: no endless swiping, no match anxiety. Instead, users can ‘add’ someone to start a convo or just “hide” them. That’s it. You can see everyone nearby in our social-style feed — not just who the algorithm selects — and you’re in control of what filters you use.”
“We’ve also put safety front and center, especially for women. Our built-in Safe Mode automatically blocks unsolicited explicit content unless a user opts in, so people feel comfortable from the start.”
“Sparks Games are one of the best ways Flure brings explorationship to life. They help people ease into conversations about turn-ons, boundaries, and personal preferences — all in a fun, no-pressure format. It’s not about defining anything right away, just exploring the vibe together, one card at a time.”
“And we’re not afraid to make dating a little more fun. Our in-app AI user, Anna — a girl with great banter — chats about whatever’s trending and gives users a space to build confidence. At the end of the day, we’re not here to replicate the rules of old-school dating apps. We’re building something that reflects how people want to connect today — with freedom, curiosity, and zero pressure.”
Challenges Faced
What challenges have Neverov and the team face in building the company? Neverov acknowledged:
“One of the biggest challenges right now is dating fatigue — people are burned out from swiping, surface-level chats, and the pressure to define their relationship goals upfront. It’s exhausting.”
“Flure was built to solve exactly that. No swiping, no labels — just meet, chat, and see where it goes. That simple shift makes it feel more natural and human.”
“Standing out in a saturated market is tough too. So we focused on building features that actually help: Sparks Game to spark real conversation, Safe Mode to protect users (especially women), and Anna, our AI companion, to boost confidence and make it easier to connect.”
“We listen, we adapt fast — and that’s how we turn challenges into momentum.”
Evolution Of The Company’s Technology
How has the company’s technology evolved since launching? Neverov noted:
“Flure has come a long way since launch — both in what it stands for and what’s under the hood. We’ve consistently added features that reflect how people actually want to connect. Safe Mode, for example, filters out explicit content by default, which is especially important for women.”
“Our in-app AI user Anna has also grown significantly. She remembers your chats, keeps up with trends, and feels less like a bot and more like someone you’d actually want to talk to.”
“We’ve built a smarter discovery algorithm to help people see the most relevant nearby users — not just who the app thinks you should match with. We also use AI to moderate photos, verify users, and flag potential scammers or adult content sellers early.”
“Everything we’ve done comes back to the same goal: making dating feel safer, more relaxed, and genuinely more fun.”
Significant Milestones
What have been some of the company’s most significant milestones? Neverov cited:
“One of the things we’re most proud of is the trust we’ve steadily earned from users — with 4.4 stars on the App Store, 4.2 on Google Play, and a growing wave of positive feedback. We’ve reached 1.5 million installs in the U.S. and are picking up even more momentum this year. The media’s growing interest and our upward trend in active users show that our no-pressure, no-labels approach is truly resonating.”
“Another major moment was shaping and defining the concept of an ‘explorationship.’ It wasn’t a term people were using, but we realized it perfectly described what we were building – a space where connections unfold naturally, without labels or pressure. That idea has really resonated with our users and shaped everything we’ve built since.”
Customer Success Stories
When asking Neverov about customer success stories, he highlighted:
“We once had a student tell us that she met someone on Flure after casually chatting through one of our in-app Sparks games. She described it as ‘accidentally flirting into a real connection.’ They ended up grabbing coffee, then dinner, and apparently never stopped texting after that.”
“She said what made the difference was the vibe — there was no pressure to label anything, just a chance to talk and see where it went. Oh, and she originally downloaded the app just to enter a giveaway on campus. We love a good plot twist.”
“And here’s another recent one — this time from a guy. He told us he was pretty much done with dating apps. Tired of swiping, tired of dates that felt more like interviews. He downloaded Flure because, in his words, ‘it just felt less exhausting.’”
“He started chatting with someone over their shared obsession with dive bars and weird cocktails. They ended up planning a “who picks the worst drink” challenge and met up at a bar neither of them had been to before.”
“One drink turned into two, then into late-night tacos, and then… well, let’s just say they both called in late to work the next morning. They’re still figuring out what it is between them — and that’s the point. Just a really good night that turned into something worth exploring.”
“These are just a couple of recent stories — there are plenty more, and we’re seeing new ones come in every day.”
Funding/Revenue
When asking Neverov about the company’s funding and revenue details, he revealed:
“We’re aiming to reach annual revenue levels comparable to Bumble, which reported around $1 billion in revenue in 2024.”
“While we’re not disclosing specifics around funding, I can say that we’re in a strong position. Our current momentum and growth metrics speak for themselves, and if we decide to raise additional capital in the future, we’re confident it would be fully supported by our existing investors.”
Total Addressable Market
What total addressable market (TAM) size is the company pursuing? Neverov assessed:
“While we don’t focus on a single TAM figure, the broader opportunity is massive. According to recent reports, the global online dating market is projected to surpass $11 billion by 2030, with over 440 million people using dating apps worldwide.”
“But for us, it’s not just about the size of the market — it’s about changing how people experience dating within it. We’re building a brand and a platform that speaks to a new generation of users who are looking for authentic and real connections — people who are tired of labels and want something that feels more natural.”
Differentiation From The Competition
What differentiates the company from its competition? Neverov affirmed:
“What sets us apart is that we’re 100% a startup — not just structurally, but in mindset. We move fast, test bold ideas, and stay ridiculously close to our users. At the same time, we’re lucky to have access to the experience and resources of other companies backed by our investors, which gives us a unique blend of speed, curiosity, and insight.”
“The energy on our team is real — we’re building something that feels exciting every single day. That excitement is contagious, and it shows up in how we think about our product and how we bring Flure to life.”
“Unlike most dating apps, Flure never asks about your relationship goals upfront. No ‘looking for something serious?’ or ‘just here for fun?’ — we let people meet first and define it later. That one shift changes everything. No pressure, no labels — just real connections on your own terms.”
“We call it an explorationship. And that mindset — explore first, define later — runs through everything we do.”
Future Company Goals
What are some of the company’s future company goals? Neverov pointed out:
“We’re building toward becoming one of the most recognized and trusted names in the dating space — not just another app, but a meaningful part of how this generation connects.”
“We also want Flure to be a dream workplace — a place where people love building, collaborating, and growing. And ultimately, we’re committed to achieving consistent, sustainable profitability. So while the market is massive, our focus is on building long-term value across product, culture, and community.”
Additional Thoughts
Any other topics you would like to discuss? Neverov concluded:
“One thing we love talking about is how the dating culture is shifting, especially with Gen Z. This generation doesn’t want to be boxed in. They’re less interested in rushing into labels and more focused on exploring what feels right in the moment.”
“That’s why the idea of an explorationship resonates so much. It reflects how people are actually dating now. They want space to figure things out, to connect without pressure, and to be themselves without having to explain it all upfront.”
“We’re also seeing how burned out people are from traditional dating app mechanics – the swiping, the ghosting, the pressure to perform. So we’re building Flure as a softer, safer space. It’s not about chasing a perfect match. It’s about meeting people, talking, and letting things unfold naturally. That shift is already happening, and we’re here to support it.”
