In brief
Shares in Bumble rose almost half as news of a potential $1bn takeover by Ithaca spread. The valuation climbed to just over $580m, far below the $14bn peak it reached in 2021. With the dating‑app sector cooling, Bumble’s founder Whitney Wolfe Herd has cut its workforce and abandoned its women‑only‑chat rule, raising concerns about the brand’s future. The move comes as rivals like Match Group also see their shares fall, and UK users report less time on dating apps.
Bumble's shares soar after $1bn takeover talks
Shares in Bumble surged nearly 50% on Monday following a Wall Street Journal report that technology holding company Ithaca is in advanced talks to buy the Texas‑based dating app for about $1 billion (≈£757 million).
The spike lifted the valuation of Bumble to just over $580 million, a fraction of the $14 billion peak it enjoyed when it listed on Nasdaq in 2021. The market reaction reflects growing uncertainty in the crowded dating‑app sector, where growth has slowed and user engagement has fallen.
Bumble was founded in 2014 by Whitney Wolfe Herd, co‑founder of Tinder. Its signature rule—only women can initiate conversation—was reportedly dropped this year, sparking debate over the app’s unique positioning.
The company is also preparing layoffs, cutting almost a third of its workforce in 2025 after it described the market as a “turning point” for online dating.
Other players such as Match Group (owner of Tinder, OkCupid and Hinge) and dating‑app investors have seen their shares slump as subscription models struggle to convert users.
In the UK, a 2025 Ofcom study found adults spent less time on dating apps than three years earlier, prompting some singles to seek partners through board‑game nights, book clubs and other social activities.
