Dating app operator Bumble is in advanced discussions to be taken private by Ithaca Holdings in a deal valuing the company at roughly $1 billion. Shares rose significantly following the report.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
Bumble is in advanced talks to be taken private by Ithaca Holdings in a deal that values the dating app operator at roughly $1 billion, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Monday. Following the news, Bumble shares rose around 52% to $3.86. Seeking Alpha reported that the stock soared 21% earlier in the trading session.
The proposed acquisition would mark a significant shift for Bumble, which is based in Austin, Texas. As of Friday's close, the company had a market valuation of roughly $389 million. According to Seeking Alpha, Ithaca Holdings is a company recently founded by two Silicon Valley executives. Neither Bumble nor Ithaca Holdings immediately responded to requests for comment.
Prior to the Monday report, Bumble shares had fallen nearly 29% this year. The company's stock price stood at $2.54 at the previous close. Reuters noted that it had exclusively reported earlier this year that Bumble was exploring a sale amid slowing growth in the online dating sector.
Bumble and its larger rival, Match Group, which owns Tinder, Hinge and OkCupid, have faced pressure in a crowded market. Both companies are grappling with weaker user engagement, particularly from younger Gen Z users who are described as tired of endless swiping.
Founded in 2014 by CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd, Bumble pioneered the "women-first" approach to online dating. Wolfe Herd returned to the CEO role in March 2025 after stepping down in January 2024. Under her leadership, the company is overhauling its dating app with AI-powered features and new ways for users to connect in an effort to revive growth.
The potential private acquisition at a $1 billion valuation represents a substantial premium over Bumble's recent public market valuation of approximately $389 million. This development occurs as the online dating sector faces headwinds from declining user engagement and intense competition. The move by Ithaca Holdings suggests a strategic interest in the dating platform despite the broader market challenges facing established players like Bumble and Match Group.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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