Bumble Engages in $1 Billion Takeover Discussions

Shares in dating app Bumble increased by nearly 50% on Monday following reports that the company is in advanced discussions for a takeover valued at $1 billion (£757 million). Ithaca Holdings, a technology investment firm, may announce a deal to acquire the Texas-based company as early as this week, according to the Wall Street Journal. The rise in Bumble's shares raised its market valuation to over $580 million, although this remains significantly lower than its peak valuation of more than $14 billion after its Nasdaq listing in 2021. Bumble is among the most downloaded dating apps globally, operating in a competitive market where growth has slowed. The BBC has reached out to Bumble and Ithaca for comments. Bumble was founded in 2014 by Whitney Wolfe Herd, who was also a co-founder of Tinder. Wolfe Herd established Bumble's brand with a unique feature that allowed only women to initiate conversations with matches. However, the company recently removed this rule, leading to discussions among users about whether the app has lost its unique appeal. Wolfe Herd stated in August, "Today, our community is asking for more flexibility, less pressure, and more opportunities to create real, meaningful connections and that is what this new experience provides." Dating apps, including Bumble, have faced challenges in recent years as some younger users have become disenchanted with the process of finding dates. In 2025, Bumble announced plans to reduce its workforce by nearly a third as the industry faced what Wolfe Herd referred to as an "inflection point" in online dating. Investments in other dating companies have also declined as apps struggle to attract users willing to pay for their services. Match Group, which owns Tinder, OkCupid, and Hinge, has also experienced a significant drop in its share prices since 2021. A report by media watchdog Ofcom in 2025 indicated that adults in the UK were spending less time on dating apps compared to three years prior. Some singles are opting for board game gatherings, book clubs, and other group activities as alternative ways to meet potential partners.