Bonkers

Bonkers is a dating app that built its reputation around safety features like real-time location sharing and a built-in SOS button. As we covered in our article on Bonkers’ safety-first approach, the app lets users alert trusted contacts if a date goes sideways. It fits into the intimacy tech space as part of the broader dating app ecosystem, where safer connections can lead to more confident intimate encounters. The safety angle is particularly relevant for people navigating in-person meetups that might lead to sexual or romantic situations—reducing anxiety around personal safety can remove barriers to intimacy and connection. Unfortunately, Bonkers couldn’t sustain growth in the hyper-competitive dating market and discontinued operations entirely in early 2023, despite raising $4M in funding. The app’s safety features weren’t enough to keep it afloat, and it shut down completely with no acquisition or rebrand.