In brief
Bumble shares jumped nearly half after a report that technology holding Ithaca could buy the dating app, catapulting its market value to $580 m. The Texas‑based platform, founded in 2014 by Whitney Wolfe Herd, has long relied on its women‑first messaging rule, which it abandoned in 2025. Investors note that the online dating market is maturing, with rival Match Group shares falling and users exploring alternatives such as board‑game meet‑ups. Despite the surge, Bumble’s valuation remains a fraction of the $14 bn peak after its Nasdaq debut in 2021.
Shares in dating app company Bumble surged almost 50% on Monday after a report that it is in advanced talks to be bought for about $1 bn (£757m).
Technology holding company Ithaca may announce a deal this week, according to the Wall Street Journal. The jump pushed Bumble’s valuation to over $580 m, still far below its $14 bn peak after the 2021 Nasdaq listing.
Bumble, launched in 2014 by former Tinder co‑founder Whitney Wolfe Herd, built its brand around a feature that let women message first. The firm recently abandoned that rule, sparking debate among users.
Wolfe Herd said in August that users now want more flexibility and meaningful connections, which the new experience offers. The dating‑app industry has faced slow growth, with 2025 cuts of nearly a third of Bumble’s workforce amid what the founder called an “inflection point.”
Investments in other dating companies have soured as users question pay‑walls. Match Group, owner of Tinder, OkCupid and Hinge, has seen shares fall sharply from its 2021 peak.
A 2025 Ofcom report found UK adults spent less time on dating apps, while some single people turn to group activities like board‑game meet‑ups or clubs to find a partner.
