Bending Spoons to Acquire AOL in $2.8 Billion Deal

Bending Spoons, the European mobile application developer, has officially entered into an agreement to acquire the legacy internet brand AOL from Yahoo. The transaction is supported by a $2.8 billion debt financing package, according to a statement released by the company on Wednesday.

Strategic Expansion and Market Position

The acquisition, which follows earlier reports of negotiations between the two entities, is expected to finalize before the end of the year, pending standard regulatory approvals and closing conditions. This move continues Bending Spoons’ aggressive expansion into the American market, building on a portfolio that already includes companies such as Evernote, Vimeo, and Meetup.

Luca Ferrari, CEO and co-founder of Bending Spoons, highlighted the enduring relevance of the platform in a press release. “AOL is an iconic, beloved business that’s in good health, has stood the test of time, and we believe has unexpressed potential,” Ferrari stated.

AOL’s Ongoing User Base

Despite its long history of changing ownership—having been part of Time Warner and later Verizon Communications—AOL maintains a significant footprint in digital communication. According to Bending Spoons, the platform remains a major player in the email sector:

• AOL ranks among the world’s top ten most-used email providers.
• The platform sustains approximately 8 million daily active users.
• Monthly active users total roughly 30 million.

“We intend to invest significantly to help the product and the business flourish,” Ferrari added, noting that Bending Spoons maintains a policy of not selling its acquired businesses. The firm positions itself as a long-term steward for the brand, aiming to serve its established and loyal customer base.

This acquisition marks the latest chapter for a brand once synonymous with the early internet era, famous for its signature “You’ve Got Mail” notification. With the backing of Bending Spoons, the company now moves away from its current ownership under Yahoo and its private equity partner, Apollo.