Dating app Bumble is axing almost a third of its workforce, as it struggles to grow and investors sour on its prospects. In a note to staff, chief executive Whitney Wolfe Herd said she was responding to pressures facing the company, as the dating industry faces an "inflection point". "We need to take decisive action to restructure to build a company that's resilient, intentional, and ready for the next decade," she said. Founder Ms Wolfe Herd stepped down as boss of the firm last year, but returned in March in a bid to turn around its prospects. Bumble, which also owns Badoo, made its name as an app on which women were responsible for initiating contact. Only female users could make the first contact with matched male users, while in same-sex matches either person could send a message first. It changed those rules last year, however, in a bid for stronger growth. The firm had been valued at more than $13bn when it debuted on the stock exchange in 2021, making then 35-year-old founder Ms Wolfe Herd the world's youngest self-made female billionaire. But its shares have lost almost all of their value since, and now trade for less than $7 each. Investors have soured on the dating sector, which has struggled to convince people to pay up for their services. At the end of last year, Bumble reported 4.1 million paying users across its apps, up roughly 11% year-on-year. But the firm's revenues grew less than 2% and it lost money. The company said the jobs cuts, which affect 240 positions, would help reduce expenses by $40m a year, which it will redirect to efforts such as technology development. Other firms in the industry, such as Match and Tinder, have faced similar struggles. Match said it was cutting 13% of jobs at last month. Shares in Bumble rose 20% after it announced the job cuts.
Bumble to axe almost a third of staff as dating app struggles
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Bumble Announces Workforce Reduction Amid Industry Challenges"
Bbc News
8.0
TruthLens AI Summary
Bumble, the dating app known for empowering women to initiate conversations, is set to lay off nearly a third of its workforce amid challenges in the dating industry. In a communication to employees, CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd highlighted the need for decisive action to restructure the company, which she described as facing an "inflection point." Wolfe Herd, who returned to lead Bumble in March after stepping down last year, emphasized the importance of building a resilient and intentional company in preparation for future growth. The decision to cut approximately 240 positions is part of a broader strategy to reduce expenses by $40 million annually, which will be reallocated towards technology development and other growth initiatives. This restructuring comes at a time when Bumble and other dating platforms face significant pressures, with investors becoming increasingly skeptical about their financial outlooks.
Despite a reported increase in paying users, Bumble's revenue growth has stagnated, prompting the company to reevaluate its operational structure. The firm, which includes the app Badoo in its portfolio, initially gained a valuation exceeding $13 billion during its stock market debut in 2021, making Wolfe Herd the youngest self-made female billionaire. However, the company's stock has since plummeted, trading below $7 per share, raising concerns about its long-term viability. Similar challenges have affected other companies in the sector, with Match Group announcing job cuts of 13% just last month. Following the announcement of its layoffs, Bumble's shares experienced a 20% uptick, reflecting a potential positive response from investors to the company's efforts to streamline operations and refocus on technology advancements.
TruthLens AI Analysis
You need to be a member to generate the AI analysis for this article.
Log In to Generate AnalysisNot a member yet? Register for free.