{{Short description|American internet dating technology company}} {{Use American English|date=May 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox company | name = Bumble Inc. | logo = Bumble Logo 2025.svg | logo_size = 250px | logo_caption = | logo_alt = | type = Public | traded_as = {{NASDAQ|BMBL}} | industry = Online dating | founded = {{start date and age|2014}} | founder = Whitney Wolfe Herd | hq_location_city = Austin, Texas | hq_location_country = United States | area_served = Global | key_people = {{unbulleted list | Whitney Wolfe Herd (CEO) | Ann Mather (chair)}} | brands = Badoo, Bumble | revenue = {{decrease}} {{US$|965 million|link=yes}} (2025) | operating_income = {{nowrap|{{decrease}} {{US$|-805 million}}}} (2025) | net_income = {{nowrap|{{decrease}} {{US$|-895 million}}}} (2025) | assets = {{decrease}} {{US$|1.425 billion}} (2025) | equity = {{decrease}} {{US$|569 million}} (2025) | num_employees = 580 (2025) | owner = Blackstone Inc. (22.9% economic; 48.9% voting)<BR>Whitney Wolfe Herd (14.0% economic; 34.8% voting) | website = {{URL|https://bumble.com}} | footnotes = <ref name=10K>{{cite web |title=Bumble Inc. 2025 Annual Report (Form 10-K) |url=https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001830043/000183004326000027/bmbl-20251231.htm | publisher=United States Securities and Exchange Commission | date=March 16, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Bumble Inc. Schedule 14A | url=https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001830043/000162828026025680/bmbl-20260417.htm | publisher=United States Securities and Exchange Commission | date=April 17, 2026}}</ref> }} '''Bumble Inc.''', headquartered in Austin, Texas, is a holding company that owns Bumble, Badoo, and BFF,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2025/09/18/bumble-bffs-revamped-app-is-here-focusing-on-friend-groups-and-community-building/|title=Bumble BFF’s revamped app is here, focusing on friend groups and community building | work=TechCrunch|date=September 18, 2025|author=Lauren Forristal|access-date=January 25, 2026}}</ref> all of which are online dating and social networking apps.
== History == The company was founded as MagicLab by Andrey Andreev and launched Badoo in 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/elanagross/2019/05/10/bumble-moves-making-impact/|title=Bumble Launched A New Initiative To Support A Cause Whenever A Woman Makes The First Move |website=Forbes |date=May 10, 2019|author=Elana Lyn Gross |access-date=October 4, 2025}}</ref><ref name="O'Connor-2017">{{cite web |last=O'Connor |first=Clare |date=November 14, 2017 |title=Billion-Dollar Bumble: How Whitney Wolfe Herd Built America's Fastest-Growing Dating App |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/clareoconnor/2017/11/14/billion-dollar-bumble-how-whitney-wolfe-herd-built-americas-fastest-growing-dating-app/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213170803/https://www.forbes.com/sites/clareoconnor/2017/11/14/billion-dollar-bumble-how-whitney-wolfe-herd-built-americas-fastest-growing-dating-app/ |archive-date=February 13, 2021 |website=Forbes}}</ref>
In 2014, Whitney Wolfe Herd founded Bumble shortly after leaving Tinder, where she was a co-founder and VP of Marketing. Badoo co-founder and CEO Andrey Andreev encouraged her to start a new dating app and brought her on as a partner in MagicLab. Andreev retained 79% ownership in the company for an investment of $10 million, along with additional investments, consulting services, and use of Badoo's infrastructure; Wolfe Herd served as CEO and received a 20% ownership stake.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/whitney-wolfe-settles-sexual-harassment-tinder-lawsuit-1-million-2014-11 |last=Kosoff |first=Maya |work=Business Insider |date=November 4, 2014 |title=Report: Ousted Tinder Cofounder Settled Her Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against The Company For 'Just Over $1 Million' |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213095913/https://www.businessinsider.com/whitney-wolfe-settles-sexual-harassment-tinder-lawsuit-1-million-2014-11 |archive-date=February 13, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=love>{{cite news | first=Lulu | last=Garcia-Navarro |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/10/magazine/whitney-wolfe-herd-interview.html |title=Can Whitney Wolfe Herd Make Us Love Dating Apps Again |work=The New York Times | date=May 10, 2025 | url-access=limited}}</ref><ref name="Shontell-2015">{{cite news |title=What It's Like To Found A $750 Million Startup, Go Through A Sexual-Harassment Lawsuit, And Start All Over By Age 25 |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/tinder-co-founder-whitney-wolfe-and-bumble-2015-1 |last=Shontell |first=Alyson |work=Business Insider |date=January 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213133618/https://www.businessinsider.com/tinder-co-founder-whitney-wolfe-and-bumble-2015-1 |archive-date=February 13, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="O'Connor-2017"/><ref name="Au-Yeung">{{Cite news |last=Au-Yeung |first=Angel |title=The Russian Billionaire Cupid Behind The Biggest Dating App in the World |language=en |work=Forbes |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/angelauyeung/2018/03/12/russian-billionaire-cupid-andrey-andreev-most-popular-dating-app-badoo/#12b6daa47800 |access-date=May 27, 2018 |archive-date=March 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240317143535/https://www.forbes.com/sites/angelauyeung/2018/03/12/russian-billionaire-cupid-andrey-andreev-most-popular-dating-app-badoo/#12b6daa47800 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.inc.com/cameron-albert-deitch/badoo-bumble-toxic-workplace-sexism-allegations.html |title=Sexual Misconduct Allegations Against Bumble's Majority Investor Threaten to Throttle the Company's Pro-Woman Cred |work=Inc. |last=Albert-Deitch |first=Cameron |date=July 9, 2019|accessdate=March 17, 2024 |archive-date=March 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304121602/https://www.inc.com/cameron-albert-deitch/badoo-bumble-toxic-workplace-sexism-allegations.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
The Bumble app was launched in December 2014.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bumble is a dating app where women take lead |url=https://www.thestar.com/life/2015/04/28/bumble-is-a-dating-app-where-women-take-lead.html |work=The Star |date=April 28, 2015 |access-date=June 3, 2015 |archive-date=October 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029060452/https://www.thestar.com/life/2015/04/28/bumble-is-a-dating-app-where-women-take-lead.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
The company was valued at more than $1 billion in November 2017.<ref name="O'Connor-2017">{{cite web |last=O'Connor |first=Clare |date=November 14, 2017 |title=Billion-Dollar Bumble: How Whitney Wolfe Herd Built America's Fastest-Growing Dating App |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/clareoconnor/2017/11/14/billion-dollar-bumble-how-whitney-wolfe-herd-built-americas-fastest-growing-dating-app/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213170803/https://www.forbes.com/sites/clareoconnor/2017/11/14/billion-dollar-bumble-how-whitney-wolfe-herd-built-americas-fastest-growing-dating-app/ |archive-date=February 13, 2021 |website=Forbes}}</ref>
In 2017, UK-based gay dating app Chappy was funded primarily by Bumble and Wolfe Herd.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/london-life/6-things-you-need-to-know-about-gay-dating-app-chappy-a3613681.html |title=6 things you need to know about gay dating app Chappy |date=2017-08-17 |website=Evening Standard |language=en |access-date=2020-03-05 |archive-date=July 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726143533/https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/london-life/6-things-you-need-to-know-about-gay-dating-app-chappy-a3613681.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The app closed down in February 2020.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2020/02/17/chappy-app-shut-down-ollie-locke-jack-rogers/ |last=Milton |first=Josh |title=Gay dating app Chappy is shutting down this month and now we'll be single for all eternity |work=PinkNews |date=2020-02-17 }}</ref>
In 2019, Blackstone Inc. purchased a majority stake in MagicLab at a valuation of the company of $3 billion.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90428425/dating-app-bumble-and-its-sister-apps-are-now-worth-3-billion |title=Dating app Bumble and its sister apps are now worth $3 billion |last=Reader |first=Ruth | work=Fast Company |date=November 8, 2019}}</ref>
In 2020, MagicLab was renamed Bumble Inc.<ref name="LaPorte-2020">{{Cite web |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90527896/bumble-hits-100-million-users-and-has-new-plans-to-take-over-the-dating-world |title=Bumble hits 100 million users—and has new plans to take over the dating world |first=Nicole |last=LaPorte |date=July 15, 2020 |work=Fast Company |access-date=July 31, 2020 |archive-date=August 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803020022/https://www.fastcompany.com/90527896/bumble-hits-100-million-users-and-has-new-plans-to-take-over-the-dating-world|url-status=live}}</ref>
In February 2021, the company became a public company via an initial public offering on the Nasdaq, raising $2.2 billion with a valuation of over $7 billion.<ref>{{cite news | title=Bumble: Female-founded dating app tops $13bn in market debut | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-56031281 | work=BBC News | date=February 11, 2021 | archive-date=February 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215140153/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-56031281 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/11/bumble-ipo-the-woman-behind-dating-app-making-market-history.html |last=Subin |first=Samantha |title=Bumble IPO: The female founder behind the dating app making market history | work=CNBC |date=February 11, 2021 |archive-date=April 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401145818/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/11/bumble-ipo-the-woman-behind-dating-app-making-market-history.html | url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.ft.com/content/59b22880-22ea-4415-b9d6-8721301d44c9 |last1=Kruppa |first1=Miles | last2=Murphy | first2=Hannah | title=Bumble valued at $13bn as investors fall in love with dating app | work=Financial Times | date=February 11, 2021 | url-access=subscription |archive-date=February 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214161440/https://www.ft.com/content/59b22880-22ea-4415-b9d6-8721301d44c9 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jemimamcevoy/2021/11/21/bumble-hits-a-speed-bump-why-the-dating-apps-shares-are-at-a-low-since-its-buzzy-ipo/ |title=Bumble Hits A Speed Bump—Why The Dating App's Shares Are At A Low Since Its Buzzy IPO | work=Forbes |last=McEvoy |first=Jemima |date=November 21, 2021 | url-access=subscription |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124113349/https://www.forbes.com/sites/jemimamcevoy/2021/11/21/bumble-hits-a-speed-bump-why-the-dating-apps-shares-are-at-a-low-since-its-buzzy-ipo/?sh=589478b32c37 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In February 2022, in its first acquisition, Bumble acquired Fruitz, a France-based freemium dating app popular with Generation Z in Europe.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 7, 2022 |title=Dating app owner Bumble buys France's Fruitz in first acquisition |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/dating-app-owner-bumble-buys-frances-fruitz-first-acquisition-2022-02-07/ |access-date=2022-04-01 |archive-date=March 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318162619/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/dating-app-owner-bumble-buys-frances-fruitz-first-acquisition-2022-02-07/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In May 2023, Bumble acquired Official, an app that helped couples strengthen their relationship through mood check-ins and date planning.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90897985/bumble-acquires-official-an-app-that-helps-couples-strengthen-their-relationship |title=Bumble acquires Official, an app that helps couples strengthen their relationship |first=Jessica |last=Bursztynsky |work=Fast Company |date=May 18, 2023 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
In February 2024, Bumble announced layoffs of 350 employees, 30% of its workforce, as part of a restructuring plan.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Capoot |first=Ashley |date=February 27, 2024 |title=Bumble to lay off 350 employees as tech industry job cuts mount |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/27/bumble-layoffs-350-employees-or-about-37percent-of-workforce.html |url-status=live |access-date=May 3, 2024 |work=CNBC |archive-date=May 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240503170600/https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/27/bumble-layoffs-350-employees-or-about-37percent-of-workforce.html}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Lung |first=Natalie |date=February 28, 2024 |title=Bumble joins the tech layoff trend, cutting a third of its staff after CEO shakeup as it struggles to entice new paying users to its dating apps |url=https://fortune.com/2024/02/28/bumble-joins-tech-layoff-trend-cutting-third-staff-ceo-shakeup-struggles-entice-new-paying-users-dating-apps/ |access-date=May 3, 2024 |work=Fortune |archive-date=May 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240517010234/https://fortune.com/2024/02/28/bumble-joins-tech-layoff-trend-cutting-third-staff-ceo-shakeup-struggles-entice-new-paying-users-dating-apps/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In June 2024, Bumble acquired Geneva, a friend-finding group chat app.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fox5ny.com/news/bumble-expands-social-circle-geneva-friend-finding-app-acquisition |title=Bumble expands social circle with Geneva friend-finding app acquisition |website=Fox |date=June 13, 2024 |author=Jessica Formoso |access-date=October 18, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/bumble-buys-geneva-friendship-app-b2548961.html |title=Bumble buys community-focused app Geneva to further expand into friendship market |website=The Independent |date=May 21, 2024|author=Olivia Hebert |access-date=October 18, 2024}}</ref>
In January 2024, Wolfe Herd moved to executive chair of the company and hired Lidiane Jones as the Bumble Inc. CEO.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/bumble-projects-quarterly-revenue-below-estimates-2023-11-07/ |title=Bumble forecasts weak fourth-quarter revenue, shares fall |last=Singh |first=Jaspreet | work=Reuters |date=November 8, 2023 |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124122645/https://www.reuters.com/technology/bumble-projects-quarterly-revenue-below-estimates-2023-11-07/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/11/06/tech/bumble-whitney-wolfe-herd-steps-down-as-ceo | title=Bumble founder Whitney Wolfe Herd steps down as CEO. She'll be replaced by Slack's leader | first=Clare | last=Duffy | work=CNN | date=November 6, 2023}}</ref> One year later, in January 2025, Wolfe Herd announced that she would return as CEO in March 2025.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://fortune.com/2025/01/17/bumble-ceo-lidiane-jones-resignation-whitney-wolfe-herd/| website=Fortune | date=January 17, 2025 |title=Bumble's new CEO is already leaving the company as shares fell 54% since killing the signature feature and letting men message first}}</ref>
In June 2025, Bumble announced layoffs of 240 positions, or 30% of its workforce in a cost cutting measure that is assumed to save Bumble $40 million annually.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/25/tech/bumble-dating-app-layoffs |title=Dating app Bumble is laying off 30% of its workforce | work=CNN | date=June 25, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jun/25/bumble-layoffs-revenue | title=Dating app Bumble to lay off hundreds of staff amid turnaround bid | work=The Guardian | date=June 25, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/25/bumble-to-lay-off-30-of-its-workforce/ | title=Bumble to lay off 30% of its workforce | first=Aisha | last=Malik | work=TechCrunch | date=June 25, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-25/bumble-announces-30-job-cuts-as-it-raises-quarterly-outlook | title=Bumble Announces 30% Job Cuts as It Raises Quarterly Outlook | first=Natalie | last=Lung | work=Bloomberg News | date=June 25, 2025 | url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2025/06/25/Datting-app-company-Bumble-cuts-workforce-turnaround/4551750881681/ | title=Dating app company Bumble cuts 30% of workforce in turnaround bid | first=Allen | last=Cone | work=United Press International | date=June 25, 2025}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
Category:2014 establishments in Texas Category:American companies established in 2014 Category:Blackstone Inc. companies Category:Companies based in Austin, Texas Category:Companies listed on the Nasdaq Category:Holding companies established in 2014 Category:Holding companies of the United States