European Tech Firm bending Spoons Acquires AOL, Signals Aggressive Expansion
Milan-based technology company Bending Spoons has acquired AOL, marking a meaningful step in its strategy of acquiring and growing consumer and enterprise digital products. As of late October 2025, Bending Spoons is valued at over $10 billion, achieving “decacorn” status – a rare feat for European tech companies. The acquisition is funded, in part, by $2.8 billion in debt financing.
Founded and long bootstrapped, Bending Spoons has recently turned to equity financing, raising funds in September 2022 and early 2024. Its most recent valuation came in at $2.8 billion in 2024. The company’s cap table includes prominent investors such as Andre Agassi, bradley Cooper, Eric Schmidt, Mike krieger, Xavier Niel, The Weeknd, The Chainsmokers, and Maluma.
Bending Spoons intends to use new funding to support future acquisitions and invest in its proprietary technology and AI capabilities. AOL,which remains one of the top 10 most-used email providers globally,boasts 8 million daily active users and 30 million monthly active users,according to Bending Spoons.
Prior to the AOL deal,Bending Spoons was reportedly considering acquisitions of app maker Elysium and Barcelona-based SaaS company Typeform. The company is actively hiring, with positions initially based in Milan, and options for remote work or offices in London, Madrid, and Warsaw. Despite describing its work surroundings as “demanding,” Bending Spoons has received over 600,000 job applications in 2025.
