Love Connection: Bumble Acquires Dating App Fruitz

Bumble Inc., the parent company of what it calls the world’s most popular dating apps, has acquired Fruitz, one of the fastest growing dating platforms in Europe, the Texas- and Paris-based company announced Monday (Feb. 7).

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Launched in 2017, Fruitz said it has seen rapid growth in Belgium, Canada, France, Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland. The growth has been especially among Generation Z, those born between 1997 and 2012, or consumers between 10 and 25.

Co-founded by its CEO Julian Kabab, CTO Fabrice Bascoulergue and CFO Arnaud Ruols, the French app uses playful fruit metaphors for its users, including cherries, grapes, watermelons and peaches.

The transaction represents Bumble’s first acquisition to support its mission of creating a world of healthy and equitable relationships.

“Fruitz is a brand and leadership team that I’ve been following for years,” said Whitney Wolfe Herd, Bumble founder and CEO in a statement. “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.”

Last week, in a bid to comply with an order from the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (AMC), Apple said it will reduce its commission to 27% on payments made through alternative payment methods for dating apps in the Netherlands, down from 30%.

Read more: Apple Lowers Rates for Dutch App Store Payments

To meet the ACM’s requirements, Apple said it will give developers three choices: continue using its own in-app purchase system, use a third-party payment system, or include an in-app link that sends users to the developer’s website.

“Consistent with the ACM’s order, dating apps that are granted an entitlement to link out or use a third-party in-app payment provider will pay Apple a commission on transactions,” the tech giant said.