What is Bending Spoons? The little-known firm behind Vimeo’s sweeping layoffs

This past week, Vimeo faced significant workforce reductions as part of a major restructuring effort led by its parent company, Bending Spoons. Reports from Business Insider revealed that these layoffs affected nearly all departments, including the entire video team, raising concerns about the future of the platform. Bending Spoons, a Milan-based technology firm, completed its acquisition of Vimeo for $1.38 billion in cash, closing the deal in late 2025. Despite being relatively unknown in the tech sector, Bending Spoons has made a name for itself as a prolific acquirer of various digital brands, including Meetup, WeTransfer, and Eventbrite. The company tends to remain under the radar, surfacing mainly when it undertakes significant acquisitions or restructures its holdings through layoffs. Founded 12 years ago, Bending Spoons started with aspirations to develop its own applications before pivoting to acquire existing brands. The company emerged from the remnants of Evertale, a failed startup that initially focused on a photo-sharing app. The founders regrouped and began acquiring brands they believed could be improved, often implementing controversial changes that included workforce reductions. Bending Spoons is known for revamping popular but stagnant products, focusing on enhancing user experience and adjusting monetization strategies. While often compared to private equity firms, it differentiates itself by aiming for long-term ownership rather than simply flipping acquired businesses. Recent acquisitions have included notable names like Filmic and Evernote, with layoffs following each deal. The first half of 2024 saw a flurry of activity, with Bending Spoons acquiring companies such as Meetup and StreamYard. Its focus remains on identifying and investing in products with potential for growth, even if they are not outright failures. In a move that caught many by surprise, Bending Spoons also created Immuni, Italy's official COVID-19 contact tracing app in 2020. However, its traditional approach involves acquiring companies and making swift changes to their operations and offerings. Bending Spoons has recently gained attention for its rapid growth and substantial funding, achieving a valuation exceeding $10 billion. The company has attracted investments from high-profile individuals, including celebrities and tech moguls, and has plans to continue expanding its portfolio. Furthermore, Bending Spoons is reportedly considering an initial public offering (IPO) in the U.S. market, where tech companies often achieve higher valuations. As it forges ahead, the company is also hiring aggressively, having received hundreds of thousands of job applications, indicating a growing interest in its expanding influence within the tech landscape.