I’m Maikel, an independent developer building Sparkr, a location-based, open-source social app meant to break Grindr’s monopoly and give the LGBTQI+ community a healthier, community-owned alternative.

Donations support my work and Sparkr’s sustainability.

Why Sparkr exists

I strongly dislike what Grindr represents today, both technically and socially:

• Messages get lost or delayed
• The app relies heavily on dark patterns and artificial scarcity
• Ads everywhere
• Total control by a single company
• Incentives that favor addiction and appearance over actual connection

Our social and intimate lives shouldn’t depend on the business model of one corporation.

What I'm trying to build instead

Sparkr is designed to actively avoid those problems:

• No central ownership or monopoly
• No ads, no engagement farming
• Strong focus on moderation and safety
• Encrypted private messaging
• A culture that discourages shallow, body-only interactions
• Location-based discovery that prioritizes people, not torsos

Even if proximity matters, Sparkr shouldn’t be a meat market. The goal is healthier interaction, not endless scrolling or comparison.