Bending Spoons Co-Founders Achieve Billionaire Status Amid Company Growth

Milan, Italy – This week, the co-founders of Bending Spoons, a prominent tech company based in Milan, joined the ranks of billionaires as estimates revealed the considerable worth of their stakes. CEO Luca Ferrari’s investment is valued at approximately $1.4 billion, while co-founders Matteo Danieli, Luca Querella, and Francesco Patarnello hold stakes estimated at $1.3 billion each, according to data analyzed by Forbes from the Italian Business Register.

Recent Funding and Acquisitions

This milestone comes shortly after Bending Spoons secured a substantial $270 million in a recent funding round. Notable investors included T. Rowe Price, Baillie Gifford, Cox Enterprises, Durable Capital Partners, and Fidelity. Additionally, the company executed a $440 million secondary share sale by current shareholders, although it remains uncertain if any founders participated in this transaction. Bending Spoons has opted to remain silent regarding the specifics of its co-founders’ equity stakes.

Despite its catchy name, Bending Spoons has largely kept a low profile within the tech sector. The 12-year-old firm is often recognized only when it adds a well-known brand to its portfolio. Most recently, it announced an acquisition of AOL, although financial terms were not disclosed.

Understanding Bending Spoons

Bending Spoons characterizes itself as a transformative tech investment firm focused on revitalizing underperforming digital brands. Currently boasting a workforce of 400 to 500 employees, often referred to as "Spooners," the company aims to optimize existing products and services.

The origins of Bending Spoons can be traced back to Evertale, a Copenhagen startup that attempted to launch the photo-sharing app Wink. Following Evertale’s collapse shortly after its inception in 2011, the founders shifted their focus to building apps internally and eventually began acquiring other digital businesses.

In a notable exception to its standard strategies, Bending Spoons created and released Immuni, Italy’s official COVID-19 contact tracing application in 2020. Generally, however, the company has established a consistent formula: it identifies popular products in need of upgrades, purchases them from owners willing to exit, and then actively works to improve their overall performance.

Acquisition Strategy and Impact

Bending Spoons distinguishes itself from traditional private equity firms by maintaining a commitment to holding acquired companies indefinitely. While many of its targets have not been failing businesses—often they show substantial user engagement—they typically suffer from stagnation and neglect.

Among the firm’s significant acquisitions are:

• Filmic (2022): Known for its popular editing apps, the company underwent workforce reductions soon after the purchase.

• Evernote (2023): Once valued at $1 billion, Evernote faced layoffs and adjustments to its service offerings post-acquisition.

• Meetup, Mosaic Group, and StreamYard (2024): These acquisitions marked a busy period for Bending Spoons, accompanied by adjustments in staffing and services to enhance profitability.

More recently, Bending Spoons has made intentions known to acquire Vimeo in a deal worth $1.38 billion and is finalizing its acquisition of AOL, a well-known digital service provider.

Current Valuation and Future Outlook

As of October 2025, Bending Spoons has achieved decacorn status, valued at over $10 billion following its latest $2.8 billion funding round. Historically self-funded, the company previously raised capital during various rounds in 2022 and early 2024, attracting investments from notable figures including celebrities and tech industry veterans.

The recent funding received is earmarked for future acquisitions and enhancements in proprietary technology, particularly in artificial intelligence capabilities. The company is poised to pursue further acquisitions to broaden its consumer and enterprise digital products portfolio.

Bending Spoons appears dedicated to scaling its operations, evidenced by the recent acquisition opportunities that have emerged. The AOL deal, which boasts substantial daily user engagement, signals a movement towards larger, recognizable brands. In anticipation of ongoing growth, the firm is actively seeking new talent, with plans for remote and multiple office-based roles across European locations.

In summary, as Bending Spoons continues to expand and elevate its position within the tech industry, its innovative approach to acquisition and revitalization of digital properties sets a unique precedent in the competitive landscape.