A lifelong entrepreneur and one of the world’s youngest self-made billionaires, Whitney Wolfe Herd is on a mission to empower women in their relationships. Read about what inspired Herd to found Bumble, a dating and social networking app where women make the first move.

Photo credit: Ramona Rosales

Whitney Wolfe Herd: Bumble was founded on the importance of equitable relationships and how crucial they are to a healthy, happy life. At Bumble, we want to build the safest, most trusted, and kindest way for women (and in turn, everyone) to make connections and find relationships online. When women have a seat at the table, and are empowered to make the first move in every aspect of life, it creates a better and kinder world for all.

My personal lived experience is what motivated me to change a broken system that was impacting me and women around the world – specifically, the way women were treated online. I wanted to create accountability within the ecosystem and a space where kindness and respect were a requirement for being a part of that community.

I wanted to help solve a problem women had been experiencing for generations, and that I had struggled with as well. The antiquated gender norms that placed men in a position of power over women in relationships have had a devastating impact. I saw an opportunity for a kinder, more accountable, and safer online experience for women in a time where most platforms and products catered to men.

I look up to many women founders, and one of them is Jennifer Hyman, CEO and co-founder of Rent the Runway. I was unsure of what I wanted to do as a young college graduate. One day, I read an article about how [Hyman] started Rent the Runway and overcame many hurdles that I have since identified very closely with.