Unveiling Bending Spoons: The Silent Titan of Tech Acquisitions
This week, the Italian tech powerhouse Bending Spoons made waves in the industry by acquiring the popular event ticketing platform Eventbrite for a hefty $500 million. This significant acquisition adds yet another well-known name to Bending Spoons’ expanding roster of leading consumer tech brands.
Announced on Tuesday, this transaction signifies yet another strategic move for the 12-year-old company, which has emerged as a formidable player in the acquisition game—often flying under the radar while doing so.
Who Exactly Is Bending Spoons?
With a whimsical name that belies its substantial impact, Bending Spoons typically garners media attention only when it brings a new recognizable brand into its fold. Its portfolio now boasts names like Evernote, WeTransfer, Meetup, and StreamYard, among others.
Unlike traditional private equity firms solely driven by financial returns, Bending Spoons specializes in acquiring popular but underperforming tech brands, revitalizing them to optimize user experience and expand their reach. The company has a reputation for making bold changes post-acquisition—often resulting in major layoffs or significant modifications to beloved features, as seen with Evernote and WeTransfer.
Despite its growing influence, Bending Spoons remains largely unknown to the general public, with its products serving over 1 billion users, including 300 million monthly active users and 10 million paid customers. Let’s dive deeper into this enigmatic company reshaping the digital landscape.
What Sets Bending Spoons Apart?
Characterized as an acquirer and innovator of digital businesses, Bending Spoons has a workforce of around 400 to 500 employees, affectionately referred to as “Spooners.” The company’s approach is unique; it improves existing products rather than starting from scratch, a strategy that emerged from the ashes of its precursor, Evertale—a failed startup known for its photo-sharing app, Wink.
Founded by visionaries driven by the belief they could enhance existing technology, Bending Spoons has mainly thrived through strategic acquisitions. The company focuses on recognized applications suffering from stagnation or mismanagement, aiming for long-term growth rather than quick profits.
A Sneak Peek into Bending Spoons’ Acquisition History
Since its inception, Bending Spoons has executed several noteworthy acquisitions, the most significant of which have occurred in recent years.
In 2022, it secured the video and photo editing app company Filmic and took drastic measures by laying off its entire staff. The following year saw the acquisition of Evernote, previously valued at $1 billion, which was followed by a series of layoffs and alterations to its free service.
2024 proved to be a particularly busy year, with Bending Spoons acquiring community-driven platform Meetup, along with the apps of digital brand Mosaic Group and the video streaming service StreamYard.
In July 2024, it further expanded its reach by adding publishing platform Issuu and file transfer service WeTransfer to its portfolio. After these acquisitions, significant changes were implemented, including staff cuts and modifications to the platforms’ functionalities.
Recently, Bending Spoons has set its sights on larger projects, announcing intentions to acquire Vimeo for $1.38 billion and the well-known internet service AOL. The company is also negotiating the terms of these acquisitions, which are set to close pending necessary approvals.
The Financial Landscape of Bending Spoons
As of October 2025, Bending Spoons has emerged as one of Europe’s rare decacorns, boasting a staggering valuation exceeding $10 billion. This surge follows a notable funding round that attracted $270 million from various investors and a secondary share sale worth $440 million.
With its latest evaluation at $11 billion, Bending Spoons continues to attract attention from both investors and job seekers alike. The founders’ stakes have turned them into billionaires, reshaping their financial futures and those of their employees.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Bending Spoons?
Bending Spoons is not planning to slow down; its recent collaboration with Eventbrite indicates a clear intent to continue broadening its portfolio of consumer and enterprise digital products. Equipped with robust funding, the company is well-positioned to pursue even more ambitious acquisitions.
With its recent aims to acquire recognized brands, such as AOL and Vimeo, Bending Spoons is navigating both established and emerging markets, leveraging its tech-savvy approach to reshape them.
As the company forges ahead, it remains committed to securing top talent, with an overwhelming interest from job candidates reflecting its allure. With its unique strategy and innovative vision, Bending Spoons stands poised to become an even larger force within the tech ecosystem, transforming the way familiar digital products operate.
As we continue to track Bending Spoons’ journey, it will be intriguing to see how this quietly ambitious company reshapes the digital landscape with its ever-growing arsenal of brands.