EXCLUSIVE: Scruff owners buy Growlr
Perry Street Software, the company behind SCRUFF and Jack’d, has acquired the bear community’s most popular app from The Meet Group
Perry Street Software, the world’s largest independent queer app company and publisher of SCRUFF and Jack’d, has acquired Growlr, the most popular app for bears and their admirers, we just learned today. Perry Street plans to make a multi-million-dollar, multi-year investment in Growlr to completely rebuild the app, modernize its design, and dramatically expand its presence in the bear community. The acquisition is from The Meet Group, who bought the app from its founder Coley Cummiskey for nearly $12m in 2019.
Perry Street says the rebuild includes a new look and feel, a new logo, a redesigned profile page, and new sharing tools in chat. Early updates will include expanded Shouts, which send one message to multiple people within a chosen radius, and the return of Flashes, a profile boost that quickly increases a member’s visibility nearby. Perry Street also says it is rethinking the role of video in the app and will aggressively clear out bots and spammers. An all-new version of Growlr is expected in early 2027. Members who want to help shape the app’s future can join the Growlr beta program, with details on how to take part to be shared in the app in the coming weeks.
Perry Street says it is launching a major expansion of Growlr’s sponsorship of bear events and Bear Weeks in the U.S. and around the world heading into 2027. Growlr is also relaunching its social media presence and already is partnering with leading bear influencers. Growlr merchandise will be refreshed, with the brand teaming up with marquee fashion designers on its first-ever bear-focused apparel line in Spring 2027. Perry Street is also developing Growlr-first content projects. Perry Street has also acquired growlr.com, so for the first time in its history, Growlr owns and operates the domain that bears its name.
Perry Street is also known for original content and programming created for the queer community, including a game show produced on SCRUFF and the current 2026 Jack’d Queer Film Festival, which showcases emerging work by queer filmmakers of color by streaming directly in the app.
“We’re seeing significant growth in the bear community, and we know the deep affection held by bears for Growlr. We are going to reinvest in Growlr to cement its reputation as the best app for bears, and we will make sure Growlr shows up for the bear community everywhere it comes together in the real world,” said Perry Street co-founder John Skandros.
“We were eager to bring Growlr into our family of apps that focus on communities within the broader LGBTQ+ world that other dating apps overlook,” said Perry Street CEO Eric Silverberg. “For us, the communities we serve are also communities we belong to, and that gives this work a personal significance and a real sense of responsibility. Our independence lets us set our own priorities. [Perry Street] doesn’t sell user data to third-party data brokers. We don’t let our apps get overrun by spammers or bots. And we serve relevant, queer-first ads instead of glitchy, full-screen takeovers that crash the app. Those are choices only an independent company can make, because by being part of the community, we answer to our community.”
“The bear community has always had its own distinct, vibrant culture that exists alongside, but apart from, mainstream queer culture,” said Skandros. “Growlr embraces a broader range of body types and ages, and offers a kind of appreciation and validation bears don’t find on other apps. We want members to be proud to represent themselves and their community when they show off the app and wear Growlr gear.”
Bear World is excited about what’s ahead for Growlr and the bear community, and we look forward to seeing these plans take shape.
