Get All Access for $5/mo

Why Serena Williams, Priyanka Chopra-Backed Bumble Got Into Entrepreneur India's Shepreneurs Class of 2019 American entrepreneur Whitney Wolfe Herd chose India the first country in Asia to launch Bumble, where women break the ice

By Punita Sabharwal

You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Entrepreneur

How a low moment in life can transpire you to a new empowered journey has been the story of Bumble. The dating app launched in India last year in December with an active user base of around 45 million. Bumble's expansion in India was led with the support of actor Priyanka Chopra. International tennis star, Serena Williams, who starred in the company's first-ever Super Bowl ad #InHerCourt, will join the organization as an investor and active member of the Bumble Fund.

Whitney Wolfe Herd, the American entrepreneur made India the first country in Asia to get Bumble. Running a separate fund for female founders, Whitney also started a venture fund and has so far invested in almost a dozen startups. Sharing more on her startup's journey, Herd says, "What got me here was my struggle against a patriarchal society, which I faced throughout my relationships in all walks of my life."

She realized men hate when women message first and that's where Bumble wanted to inspire and empower today's generation of women. As per her, the hardest and the most rewarding part of the journey has been that she could show that there is a room for change. "It is about changing the way women feel about how they should connect, that is why we do what we really do," shares Herd.

About her investor and advisor, Chopra, she says, "I had the opportunity to sit next to Priyanka Chopra at a dinner. They were speaking about why I am doing bumble, what's the message, mission and vision. That excited her and she said let's take it to India together." Bumble came to India with a lot of customizations like empowering women to sign in with just the first initial, focusing much more on security and safety of women. Bumble is available in more than 160 countries around the world. The dating app has done well in several countries. The 100 people team at Bumble is all set to make a change by letting women be incharge of their love life.

(This article appears in the March 2019 issue of Entrepreneur Magazine. To subscribe, click here. You can buy our tablet version from Magzter.com. To visit our Archives, click here.)

Punita Sabharwal

Entrepreneur Staff

Managing Editor, Entrepreneur India

Business News

Apple Is Adding ChatGPT to iPhones This Week. Here's How It Works.

ChatGPT will take over questions that Siri can't answer.

Growing a Business

5 Effective Strategies to Boost Your Business's Online Presence

Boosting your online presence in 2025 is the key to success for businesses looking to grow. Working on your branding and reputation management is important to drive more sales and improve conversion.

Marketing

He Pitched His First Business at 12 and Sold a Company for 8 Figures When He Was 23. Here's This Gen Z Marketing Expert's Next Big Move.

Griffin Haddrill built a marketing empire working with artists like Justin Bieber and Lil Nas X. Learn how he tapped into Gen Z's digital culture and turned viral campaigns into a business model.

Growing a Business

Why Business Owners Should Streamline Their Operations Now for Success in 2025

As the holiday season and year-end approach, business owners face heightened operational demands, from inventory management to spend control. By streamlining these processes and partnering with flexible suppliers, businesses can maintain efficiency, meet customer needs and focus on growth while navigating this busy period.

Growing a Business

How to Spot Trends and Anticipate Market Shifts Before Your Competition

Discover how to identify disruptive trends before your competitors by mastering the art of anticipating market shifts. Learn strategies for staying ahead and gaining a competitive edge in business.

Personal Finance

This Candlestick Trading Masterclass Can Help You Unlock Passive Income for Your Business

Learn what it takes to make smart investments in the stock market.