$16M Net ARR In Just Two Years (Maxime Barbier, Timeleft)
Aug 1, 2025 · 43:00
Maxime Barbier, co-founder of Timeleft, explains how his company that hosts dinners for strangers scaled from zero revenue to $16M net ARR in just two years by focusing on in-person connection amid a loneliness epidemic. After three years of failing with different concepts, Timeleft launched in May 2023 with 24 people in one city; today it serves 120,000 strangers monthly across 260 cities in 50 countries. Barbier attributes growth to performance marketing (40% of business is US) and a profitable acquisition model, avoiding 'empty calories' by ensuring users return. He details operational challenges of coordinating 30,000 dinners in 2,500 restaurants on a single Wednesday, and the expansion into new events like Thursday bar drinks and Saturday runs. Barbier also shares his views on why dating apps are declining (citing Bumble's share price drop from $62 to $6.50), arguing they create an illusion of choice and an 'Amazon Prime effect' that undermines real connection. The episode covers trends like tech as a new social frontier, friendship as the new dating, and the fall of dating apps.
