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The Incredible Journey Of Wolfe Herd And The Dating App Bumble Which Went Public

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Silicon Valley woke up to the news of the dating app Bumble making its public debut.  Bumble is a dating app which caters to women and is led by a woman named Whitney Wolfe Herd.  As soon as Bumble made its debut on the New York Stock Exchange (NSE,)  shares of the dating app soared by as much as 67%.  This led to the net worth ofWolfe Herd, the Chief Executive Officer of Bumble, to be valued at $1.5 billion, thereby making her a self made billionaire at just the age of 31.  Bumble plans to use the $2.2 billion proceeds from the IPO to pay off debt, fund international growth, and pursue acquisitions.

However, the story of Wolfe Herd and Bumble is one of mettle, grit and inspiration.  The journey of the unicorn is nothing short of a story.  Keep reading to find out how Wolfe Herd founded a company to rival Tinder.

Journey

Wolfe Herd began her journey as a co founder of Tinder, the world’s biggest dating app.  Whitney Wolfe Herd was Vice President of Marketing, at Tinder when she began her journey.  However,  Wolfe Herd alleged she was subjected to sexual harassment by her colleagues at Tinder and that she was stripped of her co founder tag because having a girl with that tag makes the company seems like a joke.  Wolfe Herd walked out of Tinder and filed a lawsuit against Match Group, the parent company of Tinder.  The lawsuit was settled out of the court for $ 1 million.

It was her experiences at Tinder which led Wolfe Herd to start Bumble, a dating app which lets women make the first move.  Women can swipe across profiles of men and choose to begin a conversation after a match.  At no point in this process could a man make the first move thereby putting women in firm control about the conversation as well as offering them a safety net.  

After taking some time off following the nasty lawsuit with Tinder, Wolfe Herd received an email from a Russian named Andrey Andreev, who is based in London and founded Badoo, another dating app which was the world’s largest dating app at that time (2014.)  Andreev was impressed with Wolfe Herd’s commitment at Tinder and said he would help her with her new startup and ended up investing $ 10 million in her idea.  Andrey Andreev would own 79% stake while Wolfe Herd owns 20% and the title of CEO and at the same time be able to tap into the infrastructure and resources of Badoo.  Herd and Andreev brought in former Tinder executives Chris Gulczynski and Sarah Mick, to design the new app’s back end and user interface.  Both Mick and  Gulczynski share the remaining 1% stake between themselves.

ALSO READ: Tinder: The Unique Story Behind The Swipes

During a cocktail event, Andrey and Wolfe Herd were discussing a scenario where women could make the first move and get the phone number of a guy after a match.  However, the match would disappear after 24 hours if neither of the parties made a move.  This became the core of Bumble and the secret sauce for its success.

By January 2015, about a month after launch, Bumble had about 100,000 downloads.  By the end of 2017, two years after launching, Bumble had amassed more than 22 million users.  This growth was noticed by Tinder which then made a buyout offer for $ 450 million.  Wolfe Herd rejected the offer immediately.  By July 2020, Bumble announced it had reached 100 million users.  Today, Bumble is available in 150 countries and is expanding into new areas like business networking.  In 2019, revenue jumped more than 35% and it turned a profit of $ 68.6 million.  More than 10% of Bumble’s users pay $9.99 for a monthly subscription to access perks like extra time to decide whether a suitor merits a message.  At Tinder, just about 5% of users pay for a similar service.

Today Bumble is the second largest dating app in the world and only continues to grow with its closest competitor being Tinder.

 

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From Space to Earth: Sunita Williams’ Inspiring Journey and Homecoming Celebration

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From Space to Earth: Sunita Williams' Inspiring Journey and Homecoming Celebration,Startup Stories,Startup Stories India,Inspirational Stories 2025,Latest Technology News and Updates,2025 Technology News,Tech News,startup news,Sunita Williams,Sunita Williams space journey,Sunita Williams homecoming,NASA astronaut Sunita Williams,Sunita Williams space achievements,Sunita Williams return to Earth,Sunita Williams Highlights,Sunita Williams Inspiring Journey

Sunita Williams, the celebrated Indian-American astronaut, recently returned to Earth after an extended nine-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Initially scheduled for just eight days, her mission was prolonged due to technical issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, which rendered it unsafe for their return.

On March 19, 2025, Williams and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore safely splashed down off the Florida coast. 

 

Their homecoming was celebrated in Jhulasan village, Gujarat, where special prayers and rituals were held to honor her safe return. Family members expressed their joy and gratitude, emphasizing her strong ties to her ancestral home.

Upon her return, Williams received accolades from Indian officials, including a letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who expressed pride in her achievements and resilience. He highlighted the inspiration she provides to future generations of scientists.

 

While her return marks a moment of celebration, it also signals the start of new challenges. After spending 286 days in space, Williams will undergo a 45-day rehabilitation period to readjust to life on Earth and regain physical strength.

Sunita Williams’ journey serves as an inspiration not only for India but for aspiring scientists worldwide, showcasing the significant contributions of Indian-origin individuals in global space exploration.

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Unilever Introduces Innovative Color-Changing ‘Smart Label’ for Dove

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Unilever Introduces Innovative Color-Changing 'Smart Label' for Dove

Unilever has launched a new innovation in personal care with the introduction of a color-changing “smart label” for its Dove Shower Sensor Deep Moisture Body Wash. This limited-edition product, available exclusively in Canada, integrates advanced packaging technology to promote healthier skin habits.

How It Works

The smart label activates when exposed to water temperatures above 41°C, displaying a “VERY HOT” warning. This feature encourages users to lower their shower temperature, helping to preserve the skin’s natural moisture—especially crucial during Canada’s cold winter months1.

A Step Towards Smarter Personal Care

This innovation reflects Unilever’s dedication to combining technology with personal care. Divya Singh, head of personal care at Unilever Canada, highlighted the product’s role in fostering better skin health through intuitive reminders. Singh stated that the sensor supports hydration and empowers consumers to maintain healthier habits confidently1.

Broader Implications

The smart label is part of a larger trend in packaging innovation, offering functionality beyond traditional use. Such advancements not only enhance user experience but also align with Unilever’s commitment to sustainability and digital transformation13.

This launch underscores Unilever’s focus on enhancing everyday products with technology while promoting skin health and environmental consciousness.

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Quick Commerce Set to Boost HUL’s Revenue

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StartupStories

Unilever’s CEO, Fernando Fernandez, is optimistic about quick commerce’s growth in India, predicting it will significantly boost Hindustan Unilever Ltd’s (HUL) revenue. Currently, quick commerce accounts for about 2% of HUL’s revenue, but Fernandez expects this to rise to 10-15% within the next three to four years.

Why Quick Commerce?

India’s unique demographic, with affluent and economically active households living in close proximity, makes quick commerce a logical and profitable channel. The margin mix in quick commerce is also favorable for improving profitability12.

Market Trends

Quick commerce is rapidly expanding in India, with its contribution to ecommerce sales doubling annually. Major players like Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, and Zepto are driving this growth, driven by consumer preference for convenience over discounts13.

Future Outlook

Fernandez’s strategy aligns with Unilever’s goal to transform its business and meet evolving consumer preferences. Leveraging quick commerce will be key to enhancing HUL’s revenue in India, a crucial market for Unilever

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