In a significant move within the digital media landscape, Bending Spoons, a prominent European mobile app developer, has announced its agreement to acquire Vimeo, the renowned video platform, for approximately $1.38 billion in an all-cash transaction. This acquisition is slated to conclude in the fourth quarter of 2025, pending customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.
Background and Strategic Intent
Bending Spoons, headquartered in Milan, Italy, has established itself as a formidable player in the mobile application sector. The company boasts a diverse portfolio of over 100 digital products, including popular apps like Remini, an AI-driven photo enhancer, and Splice, a mobile video editing tool. With a user base exceeding 90 million content creators worldwide, Bending Spoons has consistently demonstrated its commitment to enhancing digital creativity through intuitive and professional-grade applications.
The acquisition of Vimeo aligns with Bending Spoons’ strategic vision to expand its footprint in the video content domain. Luca Ferrari, CEO and co-founder of Bending Spoons, expressed enthusiasm about the merger, stating, At Bending Spoons, we acquire companies with the expectation of owning and operating them indefinitely, and we look forward to realizing Vimeo’s full potential as we reach new heights together. He further emphasized plans to invest ambitiously in key markets, particularly the United States, and to enhance both creator and enterprise offerings.
Vimeo’s Evolution and Market Position
Founded in 2004, Vimeo has evolved from a niche video-sharing platform into a comprehensive suite of tools catering to video creators and businesses. The platform offers services ranging from video hosting and streaming to marketing and monetization solutions. In 2021, Vimeo spun off from IAC (InterActiveCorp) to become an independent, publicly traded entity. However, since its public debut, the company has faced challenges, witnessing a significant decline in market value, which has prompted leadership to explore strategic alternatives.
Philip Moyer, CEO of Vimeo, highlighted the potential benefits of the acquisition, noting that Bending Spoons’ commitment to expanding Vimeo’s product offerings across various segments—including Self-Serve, OTT/Vimeo Streaming, and Vimeo Enterprise—could unlock greater focus and innovation for the team and its customers. He stated, We are excited about this partnership, which we believe will unlock even greater focus for our team and customers as we continue to strive towards our global mission to be the most innovative and trusted video platform in the world for businesses.
Bending Spoons’ Acquisition Strategy
This acquisition is part of Bending Spoons’ broader strategy to consolidate and enhance its position in the digital content creation and distribution market. The company has a history of strategic acquisitions aimed at bolstering its portfolio and technological capabilities.
In February 2024, Bending Spoons raised $155 million in a funding round involving investors such as Durable Capital Partners, Baillie Gifford, Cox Enterprises, NB Renaissance, NUO Capital, and StarTIP and Cherry Bay Capital Group. This funding round valued the company at $2.55 billion, marking a significant increase from its previous valuation.
In July 2024, Bending Spoons acquired WeTransfer, a Netherlands-based file-sharing platform founded in 2009. WeTransfer enables users to transfer large files online and boasts 600,000 subscribers and 80 million monthly active users. Following the acquisition, Bending Spoons announced plans to lay off 75% of WeTransfer’s staff, a move aimed at streamlining operations and integrating the platform into its existing ecosystem.
In April 2024, Bending Spoons acquired StreamYard Top Corp (Hopin), a platform management company for StreamYard, Streamable, and Superwave. This acquisition aimed to expand Bending Spoons’ asset portfolio and enhance its offerings in the live streaming and video recording domains.
In February 2025, Bending Spoons completed the acquisition of Brightcove Inc., a US-based streaming technology company, for approximately $233 million in an all-cash transaction. Brightcove, founded in 2004, develops tools and services for creating, hosting, streaming, marketing, and monetizing video content, with clients including Marriott Hotels, Ford, and Johnson & Johnson. The acquisition was seen as a strategic move to bolster Bending Spoons’ capabilities in the streaming technology sector.
Implications for the Digital Media Landscape
The acquisition of Vimeo by Bending Spoons signifies a notable shift in the digital media landscape, highlighting the increasing consolidation within the industry. By integrating Vimeo’s robust video platform with its existing suite of applications, Bending Spoons aims to offer a more comprehensive and seamless experience for content creators and businesses alike.
However, Bending Spoons’ history of post-acquisition restructuring, including significant staff reductions and feature limitations, raises questions about the future operational model of Vimeo. Stakeholders will be keenly observing how Bending Spoons balances cost optimization with innovation and customer satisfaction in the aftermath of this acquisition.
As the deal progresses towards closure, the industry will be watching closely to assess the impact of this consolidation on the competitive dynamics of the video content creation and distribution market.
