It’s not the fact that the owners of the Gay Bear Apps Scruff and Jack’d added Growlr to their stable that has us shocked, but it’s the HUGE amount of money they allegedly paid. Last time the app changed hands in 2019, it was $11.8 million in cash, with up to another $2 million tied to revenue targets. At the time, GROWLr had more than 200,000 daily active users and was expected to generate around $5.3 million in annual revenue.

The new owners, Perry Street Software, are keeping mum about how much they paid but said in their announcement that they plan to invest millions of dollars in GROWLr over the next several years.  OMG, if the Orange Man in the White House knew how much money he could make from us queers, he’d change both his attitude and policies.

GROWLr has nearly 500,000 daily users, and with the acquisition, PSS says SCRUFF, Jack’d, and GROWLr now reach more than 3 million monthly active members. A major overhaul of GROWLr is planned for early 2027. It will include a new design, logo and profile pages, along with new ways to share content in chats. PSS plans to bring back Flashes, GROWLr’s disappearing photo feature, and expand its Shouts feature.

PSS wants to grow GROWLr beyond the app by increasing sponsorship of Bear events and Bear Weeks worldwide in 2027. The company plans to expand its social media presence and work with Bear community influencers. GROWLr will launch its first clothing collection in spring 2027, while a beta program will open to members in the coming weeks.  A major overhaul of GROWLr is planned for early 2027. It will include a new design, logo, and profile pages, along with new ways to share content in chats. PSS plans to bring back Flashes, GROWLr’s disappearing photo feature, and expand its Shouts feature.