Bumble Introduces Desktop App And Gets Serious About IPO

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Hold the (smart) phone. After years as an app-only platform, Bumble has launched a web version of its popular dating service for use on laptops, desktops, and tablets.

Bumble announced the news with a blog post and video that offer a glimpse of the sleek, user-friendly Bumble Web experience. Current users can access their accounts on www.bumble.com by signing in via their usual method (Facebook or phone number). New users still need to create an account through the app before using the browser version, but Bumble promises that functionality is coming to Bumble Web soon. If you don't see the "Sign In" button yet on the Bumble website toolbar, check back soon as Bumble Web may not yet be available in your area.

Once signed in, the simple interface displays existing chats and matches in a column to the left of the screen. Potential new matches appear to the right. Users can scroll through a profile using the up and down arrow keys or by clicking the up and down arrows at the top and bottom of the profile. To like or pass on a profile, use the left and right arrow keys or click the two prominent icons at the bottom of the screen.

Bumble’s desktop expansion makes the app accessible to a larger audience. It’s a more practical choice for users who live beyond the reach of 4G or have limited storage on their phones. It will undoubtedly also be an appealing option for students and employees who want to sneak a peek at their accounts without pulling out their phones.

Bumble Web is only available for Bumble Date for the time being, but the company promises web versions are in the works for BFF and Bizz.

Bumble isn’t just coming to a browser near you. According to multiple reports, the company is also on its way to an initial public offering in the United States.

“We’re now in very deep discussions with banks,” including JPMorgan Chase & Co., said Andrey Andreev, the majority shareholder of Bumble owner Rimberg International Corp., in an interview with Bloomberg. “The listing would be on the Nasdaq. It’s been in the air for ages, but the serious consideration has happened only recently -- in the past month.”

Andreev has set his sights on overtaking Tinder owner Match Group as the world’s most valuable dating company, and he’s not shy about sharing his confidence in the odds.

“We’re better than Match, we’re younger than Match, we’re growing faster than Match,” he boasted. “Because we’re younger and faster we deserve a better market cap.”

Bumble recently increased its revenue run rate to $200 million a year and topped the 40 million user mark. The IPO would likely occur sometime next year. For more on this service you can read our Bumble review.