Bumble Nears $1B Private Acquisition — A Remarkable Shift From Its IPO Triumph
Dating app Bumble (BMBL) is reportedly in the final stages of negotiation to be acquired by Ithaca Holdings. This newly established technology holding company, co-founded by Silicon Valley executives Ravi Gupta and John Hegeman, is said to value the Austin, Texas-based company at approximately $1 billion. This information was disclosed by a source familiar with the matter who spoke to Reuters on Monday.
The announcement of these talks led to a significant increase in Bumble’s share price, which soared by approximately 52% to around $3.86. This surge is particularly dramatic considering the stock had lost nearly 29% of its value so far this year, with a market capitalization of only about $389 million as of last Friday’s close. The deal could be made public as early as this week, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The potential $1 billion acquisition of Bumble signifies a sobering chapter for a company that made its debut on the Nasdaq in 2021 with a valuation exceeding $8 billion. The app has faced challenges in the face of its larger rival, Match Group (the owner of Tinder, Hinge, and OkCupid), as younger Gen Z users become increasingly dissatisfied with traditional swipe-based dating. CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd, who reassumed her position at the helm in March 2025, has been leading a comprehensive overhaul of the platform. This includes the introduction of AI-powered features in an effort to reinvigorate user engagement and growth.
Source: GV Wire — Dating App Bumble in Advanced Talks to Go Private at $1 Billion Valuation