Bumble in Advanced Talks for $1 Billion Take-Private Deal

Bumble is in advanced talks to be taken private by Ithaca Holdings in a potential deal valuing the dating-app company at about $1 billion, according to reports citing people familiar with the discussions. No agreement has been announced, and the reported negotiations could still collapse. Bumble shares rose about 50% on Monday, October 12, after news of the talks emerged. The rally lifted the company’s market value to roughly $580 million, compared with about $389 million at Friday’s close. The increase followed a steep decline from Bumble’s market valuation of more than $14 billion after its 2021 stock market debut. The reported $1 billion valuation would be more than twice the company’s market value before Monday’s rise, though it remains far below its post-listing peak. The terms and timing of any transaction have not been confirmed publicly. One account said an announcement could come as soon as this week, but that remains a reported possibility rather than a confirmed schedule. Ithaca Holdings is a recently formed investment firm. Reports described it as founded by Sequoia Capital partner Ravi Gupta and former Meta executive John Hegeman.