Professional Overview
Eric Silverberg serves as the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Perry Street Software, a privately-owned company based in New York, New York, United States. Perry Street Software operates some of the largest and most prominent LGBTQ+ dating and social networking applications globally, specifically SCRUFF and Jack'd. These apps cater primarily to the gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer communities, with a combined user base exceeding 40 million members worldwide.
Eric Silverberg is recognized as an openly gay leader who actively shapes the digital landscape for queer social connectivity. His leadership emphasizes privacy, security, and community-focused innovation in apps designed by Perry Street Software, differentiating the company from competitors by strong data protection policies and LGBTQ+ ownership. Silverberg’s role combines executive leadership with deep technical involvement, including contributions to the product architecture and software engineering teams.
Company and Industry Position
Perry Street Software is headquartered in New York and claims the status of one of the largest LGBTQ+ owned-and-operated software companies by revenue and member reach. The acquisition of Jack'd in 2019 expanded their portfolio and user demographic, a move publicly praised by Silverberg as strategically aimed at enhancing the experience for diverse queer communities, especially queer people of color.
The company is noted for pioneering privacy standards within the LGBTQ+ dating app space, having removed third-party software development kits (SDKs) that could compromise user data. Silverberg has publicly committed to never selling or sharing user data with third parties, emphasizing the importance of user confidentiality, especially for a user base vulnerable to discrimination in many countries.
Perry Street Software maintains advanced technology practices, including infrastructure on cloud platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS), deployment strategies utilizing Amazon ECS, and cross-platform development with languages such as Ruby, Swift, and Kotlin. Silverberg actively contributes thought leadership on software architecture, API development, and linting practices through technical blogs and Medium publications, reinforcing his profile as a hands-on CEO with significant engineering expertise.
Technical and Leadership Contributions
- Over 15 years of software engineering experience with a focus on integration techniques encompassing APIs, event streaming, and messaging protocols.
- Editor and lead author of a series of architectural blogs detailing clean API architectures and modern software engineering methodologies utilized at Perry Street Software.
- Advocates and implements automated linting tools and architectural rules, such as in Swift, to enforce code quality and maintainability across the engineering teams.
- Actively involved in product management and software development for Perry Street’s iOS and Android mobile clients, reinforcing a blend of technical leadership and executive management.
Public Engagements and Industry Influence
- Frequently represents Perry Street Software and its brands in media interviews, industry panels, and community initiatives related to LGBTQ+ technology, privacy, and digital culture.
- Founder and CEO of major queer-focused social apps with a vision to provide safe, inclusive, and high-quality digital environments for queer communities globally.
- Successfully spearheaded the integration and growth strategy surrounding acquisitions (e.g., Jack’d) to foster community expansion and app innovation.
- Engages actively on professional social networks such as LinkedIn with over 1,000 followers and 500+ connections, contributing insights on LGBTQ+ tech development and leadership.
Community and Cultural Alignment
- Silverberg is openly gay and positions Perry Street Software as a queer-owned and queer-led company, a differentiator in the tech and dating app markets.
- Promotes diversity and inclusion within the LGBTQ+ tech ecosystem, with involvement in cultural campaigns, sponsorships, and partnerships that spotlight queer and minority representation.
- Publicly supports safeguarding community members in hostile regions by embedding security features and travel advisories in their apps, underscoring a company ethos centered on user safety and advocacy.
Summary of Relevant Insights
Eric Silverberg’s profile as CEO and Founder of Perry Street Software highlights his multi-faceted expertise bridging technology innovation, executive leadership, and LGBTQ+ community advocacy. His technical background strengthens his management capabilities, enabling him to influence product development deeply while steering strategic growth and acquisitions. His company, Perry Street Software, is a market leader in queer dating platforms, underscoring a significant user base and a strong stance on privacy which is critical for the community served.
His public engagement and thought leadership on software engineering principles position him as a knowledgeable and respected figure in tech, particularly in API and cloud infrastructure design. The acquisition of Jack'd reflects an expansion strategy aimed at diversifying and strengthening Perry Street Software’s foothold in the LGBTQ+ app market. Silverberg’s commitment to queer ownership and privacy is not only a market differentiator but also a core cultural value of the company.
Primary LinkedIn: [Eric Silverberg](http://www.linkedin.com/in/esilverberg)
Company Website: [Perry Street Software](https://www.perrystreet.com/)
Notable Apps: SCRUFF, Jack’d
User Base: Over 40 million LGBTQ+ members worldwide
Location: New York, NY, United States
This profile should support understanding Eric Silverberg’s role, expertise, and Perry Street Software’s position within the LGBTQ+ tech ecosystem for tailored engagement and strategic considerations.
