Bumble Is Getting Sold

Dating app company Bumble has reached a $1.3 billion agreement to be acquired by Ithaca Holdings, removing the app from the stock market following a significant drop in its valuation since its 2021 peak, according to Bloomberg. Shareholders of Bumble will receive $6.05 per share in cash for their stake. This offer is a 138 percent premium above the company's closing share price on October 9, as announced by Bumble.

Bumble, founded in 2014 by Whitney Wolfe Herd, gained recognition for its women-centric approach to online dating. The company made its stock market debut in 2021 with a valuation of about $14 billion, but has since faced challenges with declining revenue and a shrinking user base composed of paying subscribers. In the second quarter of 2026, Bumble counted 3.2 million paying users, a decrease of 16.4 percent compared to the previous year.

Revenue for the same quarter saw a 15.2 percent decline year-on-year, reaching $211 million. Despite introducing AI-powered features and other enhancements to boost user engagement, the company's subscription numbers have continued to decline, impacting its overall business performance. Pursuing a private status through this acquisition will enable Bumble to implement its turnaround strategies without the public scrutiny associated with stock market trading.

Once the deal is finalized, subject to the necessary closing conditions, Ithaca Holdings will assume control of Bumble. This acquisition represents a substantial turn of events for a dating app that was once valued at $14 billion shortly after its initial public offering.