Bumble Accepts 1.3 Billion Dollar Acquisition by Ithaca Holdings

Bumble has agreed to a 1.3 billion dollar acquisition by Ithaca Holdings, the dating company's announced deal that would take the business private amid declining revenue, shrinking subscriber numbers, and dissatisfaction with swipe-based dating. The agreement marks a significant change for the company as it seeks to reshape its services and future business strategy.

According to Bumble's announcement, the transaction followed a review of strategic alternatives by an independent committee of the company's board. The committee recommended the deal after consulting external legal and financial advisers.

Bumble reported second-quarter 2026 revenue of 211 million dollars, a 15.2% decline from the same period a year earlier. Its paying user base also fell 16.4% to approximately 3.2 million, reflecting mounting challenges for the online dating business.

The company's transition to private ownership could provide greater flexibility to test features and revise its dating experience without the pressure of quarterly public-market expectations. Bumble has been exploring artificial intelligence-powered features and expanding its focus on helping users form connections through in-person activities.

Whitney Wolfe Herd, Bumble's founder, said the acquisition partner shared the company's mission and commitment to its future.

"In Ithaca, we have found a partner who shares our vision, believes in our women-first mission, and is committed to investing in Bumble’s future," Wolfe Herd said in a statement.

Wolfe Herd also plans to remain actively involved in the company alongside Ithaca's Ravi Gupta and John Hegeman and the Bumble team. According to the company's press release, she did not participate in the board's discussions or vote on the transaction.

Founded in 2014, Bumble built its identity around a dating feature that initially allowed only women to initiate conversations with matches. The company went public in 2021 at a valuation of approximately 14 billion dollars, but its business has since faced declining paying users, weaker revenue, and changing consumer expectations.

In July, Bumble announced Plans, a feature designed to bring users together through real-world activities. Wolfe Herd has also disclosed that the company is developing a new way for users to interact that could eventually replace the traditional swipe-based model.