Bumble in advanced talks to go private in roughly $1 billion deal with Ithaca Holdings
Shares of the Austin, Texas dating app operator jumped about 52% after a report that Ithaca Holdings could announce a deal as soon as the week of 12 October 2026.
Advanced talks with Ithaca Holdings
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, 12 October 2026. The Wall Street Journal reported the talks first, citing unnamed people familiar with the matter, and said a deal could be announced as soon as the week of 12 October 2026. Ithaca Holdings was founded earlier in 2026 with a plan to acquire at least one public or private firm and infuse it with new technology, potentially including AI. The Wall Street Journal also reported that founder Whitney Wolfe Herd is expected to stay involved with the company as part of the deal. Bumble and Ithaca Holdings did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Shares jump on the report
Shares of Bumble rose around 52% to $3.86 on Monday, according to Reuters, and as much as 57% to $3.98 intraday, their biggest intraday jump since 11 February 2021. At Friday's close, 9 October 2026, the company had a market valuation of roughly $389 million, after shares had fallen nearly 29% during 2026. After the jump, the BBC reported the valuation rose to over $580 million, still far below the peak of more than $14 billion reached after the company listed on the Nasdaq in 2021.
- Bumble drops its women-go-first model
- Market valuation about $389 million at Friday close
- Shares rise about 52% to $3.86 after report of takeover talks
Pressure on the dating business
Bumble and larger rival Match Group, which owns Tinder, Hinge and OkCupid, have been under pressure in a crowded market grappling with weaker user engagement. Reuters said the pressure is particularly felt among younger Gen Z users tired of endless swiping. Irish Independent reported that young people have grown fatigued with online dating and shown interest in in-person events. Match Group shares have also fallen sharply from their peak in 2021, the BBC reported. An Ofcom report from 2025 found that UK adults spent less time on dating apps than three years earlier.
Product changes under Wolfe Herd
Whitney Wolfe Herd founded Bumble in 2014 and pioneered its women-first approach to online dating. She returned to the CEO role in March 2025 after stepping down in January 2024. In August 2026, Bumble abandoned the women-go-first model, its latest move to boost engagement. The company also introduced an artificial intelligence-powered assistant designed to act as a personal matchmaker, offering an alternative to swiping through profiles. The change prompted debate among users over whether the app had lost what set it apart from rivals.
