Bending Spoons, the Italian software holding company, has emerged as one of the world's largest acquirers of consumer apps despite near-total obscurity. The Milan-based firm owns AOL, Vimeo, and a sprawling portfolio of productivity and lifestyle applications that collectively reach over 1 billion users globally.
Founded in 2013 by Marco Cassera and Luca Ferrari, Bending Spoons operates as a serial acquirer, buying established digital properties and optimizing them for profitability rather than growth-at-all-costs. This strategy kept the company off venture capital and media radars for years. The firm has maintained profitable operations by consolidating products, cutting costs, and focusing on unit economics.
The portfolio spans multiple categories. Bending Spoons acquired AOL from Verizon in 2021 for a reported $1 billion, gaining email, news, and advertising properties. It bought Vimeo from IAC in 2021 as well, cementing its position as a major video platform owner. Beyond these flagship assets, Bending Spoons controls a roster of apps including Evernote, the note-taking platform acquired in 2023, along with numerous other productivity tools, photo editors, and mobile utilities.
What distinguishes Bending Spoons from typical venture-backed acquirers is its operational model. Rather than pursuing aggressive growth metrics to satisfy investors, the company emphasizes operational leverage and profitability. It consolidates overlapping platforms, eliminates redundant features, and monetizes through ads and premium subscriptions with lean teams.
The firm's recent public market entry marks a turning point in visibility. Going public allows Bending Spoons to access capital for continued acquisitions and provides clarity on its true scale. The holding company structure resembles Berkshire Hathaway at a