Bumble is expected to combine Fruitz’s Gen Z oriented product with its machine learning, marketing, localisation, and safety platforms
Bumble stated that the Fruitz app is a natural fit within the company. (Credit: Bumble Inc.)
Bumble has acquired Paris-based Gen Z dating app Fruitz to complement its existing offerings and expand its presence to other regions.
Launched in 2017, Fruitz is a freemium dating app like Bumble and Badoo.
The dating app, which is popular with Gen Z, a growing segment of online dating consumers, marks the first acquisition for Bumble.
Bumble stated that the app is a natural fit within the company.
Co-founded by Julian Kabab (CEO), Fabrice Bascoulergue (CTO), and Arnaud Ruols (CFO), Fruitz has emerged as a major player in the dating category.
The app is said to have witnessed rapid growth across France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, and Canada.
Through four playful fruit metaphors that include cherries, grapes, watermelons, and peaches, the French app promotes open and honest communication of dating intentions.
Bumble founder and CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd said: “Fruitz is a brand and leadership team that I’ve been following for years.
“Julian, Fabrice, and Arnaud are dynamic and brilliant leaders who have built a unique product that has struck a powerful chord with consumers in France and across Europe. By plugging Fruitz into our technology and data science platform, community support, brand and growth marketing, we can accelerate Fruitz’s growth.”
Bumble is expected to combine Fruitz’s Gen Z oriented product with its machine learning, marketing, localisation, and safety platforms.
The founders and Fruitz team will continue to lead the app within Bumble.
With the acquisition, Bumble will have three dating apps, employing over 800 employees in Austin, London, Barcelona, Paris, and Moscow.
Wolfe Herd added: “Badoo and Bumble are two of the most popular global dating apps. The acquisition of Fruitz allows us to expand our product offerings in line with our focus on empowering relationships for everyone.”
In November last year, Bumble announced a 24% increase in its total revenue to $200.5m for the third quarter of 2021, compared to $162.3m in the same quarter a year earlier.
The company had also reported an increase in total paying users to 2.9 million.