Brief

Bumble in advanced talks for $1 billion private buyout by Ithaca Holdings

The dating app is in late‑stage talks with a Silicon Valley investment firm after a sharp revenue decline and a 30% workforce cut.

By Felo News Desk · Published Tue, 13 Oct 2026 06:07:07 GMT

Bumble is in advanced negotiations to be taken private by newly formed investment firm Ithaca Holdings for roughly $1 billion, according to the Wall Street Journal, reported by the New York Post on Oct. 12.

The deal would value the company at a fraction of its peak $14 billion market cap after its 2021 IPO. Ithaca Holdings, created by a Sequoia Capital partner and a former Meta executive, could close the transaction as early as this week, though Bloomberg says the talks could still fall apart.

Bumble shares surged about 50% on Monday following the news, lifting the market value to about $580 million from $335 million on Friday. The company posted second‑quarter revenue of $210.5 million, down 15.2% year‑over‑year, and its paying‑user base fell 16.4% to 3.2 million. A net loss of $127.9 million was recorded for the quarter, with cash on hand of roughly $154 million at the end of June.

Founder and CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd, who returned to the role in March 2025, is expected to stay involved and roll over part of her ownership stake in the proposed transaction, the Journal reported. Bumble previously explored a sale in June, with Morgan Stanley advising on strategic alternatives, Reuters had noted at the time.

Last year the company cut about 30% of its workforce and in August abandoned its signature rule that women must initiate conversations, allowing either party to send the first message in an effort to retain paying customers.

Key facts

Bumble is negotiating a $1 billion take‑private deal with Ithaca Holdings. (nypost.com)
Second‑quarter revenue fell 15.2% to $210.5 million and paying users dropped 16.4% to 3.2 million. (nypost.com)
Bumble shares jumped about 50% after the buyout news, raising market cap to roughly $580 million. (nypost.com)
Founder Whitney Wolfe Herd is expected to remain involved and roll over part of her stake. (nypost.com)
The company posted a quarterly net loss of $127.9 million and had about $154 million in cash at June end. (nypost.com)