Sydney woman who set up dating app Bumble in Australia at age of 25 ready for her next challenge

Glamorous blonde who set up Bumble in Australia reveals the one small feature that made the dating app popular with more than 70 MILLION users – and how she found love with a professional rugby player

  • Michelle Battersby took a gamble to launch dating app Bumble in Australia 
  • Three years on, the app boasts more than three million Australian members
  • She has seen singles become more open about their use of apps in dating
  • Has left Bumble and Sydney for role with booming fitness app Keep it Cleaner

A young businesswoman believes single women are more empowered than ever to take charge in world of online dating.

Michelle Battersby was a 25-year-old with no marketing experience when she was given the challenge of launching Bumble in Australia three years ago.

Today, the app boasts more than three million Australian members.

Unlike other dating apps, it’s up to women to make the first move on Bumble with the aim of shifting old-fashioned power dynamics and encouraging equality from the start of potential relationships.

The success of dating app Bumble has soared in Australia under the helm of Michelle Battersby

‘It attracts women who want to make that first move and men who respect that in women. It means from the moment you’re matching with someone, there’s a different tone for the conversation,’ Ms Battersby told the Sydney Morning Herald.

‘It’s great to instill that kind of behaviour in women’s minds. You shouldn’t have to wait for opportunities to come to you – if it’s in dating, don’t be afraid to speak to a guy; if it’s for a job opportunity, don’t be afraid to pursue it.’ 

Bumble was launched in Australia less than two years after it was founded in the US by Tinder co-founder Whitney Wolfe Herd. 

The app has more than 70 million users worldwide.

Ms Battersby has seen more singles become open about their use of dating apps during her time with Bumble, which launched as the #MeToo began to take off. 

‘I was glad to see it come out because it aligned with what we’d been doing, which is all about empowering women,’ the Sydneysider said. 

Michelle Battersby (pictured with boyfriend Billy Meakes) had no marketing experience when she launched Bumble in Australia three years ago

Michelle Battersby (pictured with boyfriend Billy Meakes) had no marketing experience when she launched Bumble in Australia three years ago

In her time at Bumble, Ms Battersby has extended the app’s purpose to also become business and networking destination for women.

She also launched Bumble in New Zealand and the Philippines. 

Friday marked the end of an era of Ms Battersby as her last day as Bumble’s marketing director of the Asia Pacific region.

She made the move to Melbourne on Saturday to join her partner, professional rugby union player Billy Meakes down south and starts her new marketing job for booming fitness app Keep it Cleaner on Monday. 

Michelle Battersby (pictured) says singles are now more open about the use of dating apps than when she launched Bumble in Australia in 2016

Michelle Battersby (pictured) says singles are now more open about the use of dating apps than when she launched Bumble in Australia in 2016

Michelle Battersby has moved to Melbourne to be closer to boyfriend Billy (pictured together)

Michelle Battersby has moved to Melbourne to be closer to boyfriend Billy (pictured together)

‘The past three years have been the most memorable, transformational years of my life,’ Ms Battersby posted on Instagram on Friday.

‘The magnitude of it all hasn’t really hit me…what I can say for now is that the people have been the absolute highlight. I’m eternally grateful to have experienced this with the bumble team from around the world. Can’t wait to watch you all succeed.’

She is excited about her new role marketing role for tech start-up Keep it Cleaner, founded Steph Claire Smith and Laura Henshaw.

The fitness app has more than 251,000 Instagram followers. 

‘I’ve never really been someone who has a five-year plan and they’ve got it all mapped out,’  Ms Battersby recently told the Herald Sun. 

‘I’ve been so focused on Bumble for the past three years and I’ve lived and breathed it and loved every minute of it. Now I’m really excited to have that opportunity to do it again and excited for that success that is KIC (Keep It Cleaner).

Michelle Battersby has left her role at Bumble for an exciting new challenge in a new city

Michelle Battersby has left her role at Bumble for an exciting new challenge in a new city

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