Paul Boukadakis

Paul Boukadakis is the Vice President of Special Initiatives at Tinder, Inc., a position he has held since the company acquired his startup, Wheel, in 2017. Boukadakis co-founded Wheel, a mobile video technology app that allowed users to create and share video stories similar to Snapchat. Following the acquisition, he transitioned to Tinder, where he focuses on innovative ways to enhance user connections through digital content.14

Background and Career

• Education: Boukadakis attended Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, where he completed his studies before venturing into entrepreneurship.1
• Entrepreneurial Ventures: Prior to Tinder, he was instrumental in founding Wheel in 2015, which was designed to facilitate video sharing among users. The app gained traction and was acquired by Tinder two years later.15
• Role at Tinder: As VP of Special Initiatives, Boukadakis is involved in exploring new strategies and technologies to improve user engagement on the platform. His work aims to leverage his background in connecting people through innovative content.23

Personal Life

Boukadakis gained public attention for his relationship with actress Ana de Armas, which began in mid-2021. They were introduced through mutual friends and have been seen together publicly since then.1

His career trajectory reflects a blend of entrepreneurial spirit and a commitment to enhancing social connectivity through technology.