After $18B IPO, Bending Spoons founder says success comes from minimizing luck

ChrisArchitect

Related prior: Italy's Bending Spoons, owner of AOL and Vimeo, files for Nasdaq IPO https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48446310

ChrisArchitect

So they convinced greedy likely AI-pilled investors. Hearing their name still gives the ick, and anything they're involved in. Why does the sentiment around here not translate? Some history from only the past year in discussions: Bending Spoons acquires Vimeo for $1.38B https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45197302 AOL to be sold to Bending Spoons for $1.5B https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45749161 Bending Spoons Acquires Eventbrite https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46124673 Tell HN: Bending Spoons laid off almost everybody at Vimeo yesterday https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46707699

quanto

> The numbers seem to agree. According to its SEC filing, “in part helped by progress in AI, revenue per full-time equivalent Spooner increased from $1.12 million in 2023 to $2.57 million in 2025, and was $0.97 million in Q1 2026.” Is there a typo somewhere?

mmarian

Full statement behind title is interesting. I actually agree with the founders - it's easier to make good money acquiring a proven business and improving its financials, than it is starting something and trying to prove to customers it'll work. You need have the capital from the get go though.