Dating apps have become increasingly popular in recent years, and as a result, they have become a valuable acquisition target for larger companies. According to data from PitchBook, the number of dating app acquisitions has been on the rise in recent years.
In 2018, there were a total of 18 dating app acquisitions. This number increased to 20 in 2019 and 24 in 2020. These acquisitions were made by a variety of companies, including larger tech firms like IAC/InterActiveCorp and Match Group, as well as media companies like ProSiebenSat.1 Media.
One of the most notable acquisitions in recent years was the acquisition of Bumble by Blackstone in 2019 for $3 billion. This acquisition was notable not only because of the high price tag, but also because Bumble was a female-focused dating app, which is a niche market within the dating app industry.
Another high-profile acquisition was the acquisition of Hinge by Match Group in June 2020 for $600 million. Hinge, which positions itself as a more "serious" dating app, had seen a surge in popularity during the pandemic, and Match Group saw the acquisition as an opportunity to expand its portfolio of dating apps.
Overall, it appears that dating app acquisitions are becoming more common as the industry continues to grow and mature. Larger companies are recognizing the value of these apps and are willing to pay high prices to acquire them. As the market becomes more crowded, it's likely that we'll see even more dating app acquisitions in the future.
