**Iconic AOL Sold to Milan Tech Giant Bending Spoons in Major Deal**
Yahoo is in advanced talks to sell the historic internet bra...
Yahoo is in advanced talks to sell the historic internet brand AOL to Italian technology company Bending Spoons for approximately $1.4 billion, according to multiple sources familiar with the negotiations[2][4][6]. If finalized, the sale would mark the end of an era for AOL—once a titan of the early internet—and begin a new chapter under the stewardship of one of Europe’s most prominent and unconventional tech firms.
The deal, which has not yet been signed and could still fall...
The deal, which has not yet been signed and could still fall through, would transfer ownership of AOL from Yahoo, which is majority-owned by private equity firm Apollo Global Management, to Milan-based Bending Spoons[4][6]. Apollo acquired a 90% stake in Yahoo from Verizon in 2021 for $5 billion, and the potential sale of AOL is seen as part of a broader strategy to streamline its portfolio[4][6].
**AOL’s Legacy and Current Standing**
AOL, short for America Online, was a defining force in the 1...
AOL, short for America Online, was a defining force in the 1990s and early 2000s, best known for its dial-up internet service, email platform, and the iconic “You’ve Got Mail” notification. The company’s ill-fated $165 billion merger with Time Warner in 2000—once the largest in history—ended in regulatory scrutiny and massive writedowns, symbolizing both the exuberance and excess of the dot-com bubble[4].
Despite its diminished prominence, AOL still maintains a sub...
Despite its diminished prominence, AOL still maintains a substantial user base, with recent reports indicating a surprising 20% growth in younger demographics[2]. This resilience suggests that, even as a legacy brand, AOL retains significant latent value—a factor that likely attracted Bending Spoons, a company known for acquiring and revitalizing underperforming tech assets[2][3].
**Bending Spoons: The New Owner**
Founded in 2013 and based in Milan, Bending Spoons has quiet...
Founded in 2013 and based in Milan, Bending Spoons has quietly emerged as a powerhouse in the consumer app space, eschewing the hype-driven tactics of Silicon Valley for a disciplined, data-driven approach focused on long-term, high-margin businesses[1][3]. The company’s portfolio includes popular apps like the AI photo enhancer Remini, the video editor Splice, and the note-taking app Evernote, which it acquired in recent years[3].
Bending Spoons’ strategy centers on acquiring products with...
Bending Spoons’ strategy centers on acquiring products with existing traction, then optimizing and scaling them through rigorous experimentation, selective hiring, and robust internal tooling[1][3]. The company, valued at $2.55 billion after a funding round in early 2024, is now one of Italy’s rare tech “unicorns” and has signaled ambitions for a future IPO in the U.S.[4].
**Implications of the Deal**
The acquisition of AOL by Bending Spoons would represent a s...
The acquisition of AOL by Bending Spoons would represent a significant shift in the tech landscape, blending a storied American internet brand with a European firm known for its operational rigor and growth mindset[2][4]. Industry observers will be watching closely to see how Bending Spoons plans to rejuvenate AOL’s offerings and whether it can unlock new value from the brand’s still-substantial user base[2].
For AOL, the sale offers the prospect of renewed investment...
For AOL, the sale offers the prospect of renewed investment and innovation under an owner with a track record of turning around struggling tech products[3]. For Bending Spoons, the deal is a bold step onto the global stage, potentially accelerating its path to an IPO and further establishing its reputation as a major player in the tech acquisition space[2][4].
**Market and Industry Reaction**
News of the negotiations has sparked widespread interest, re...
News of the negotiations has sparked widespread interest, reflecting AOL’s enduring cultural significance and the curiosity surrounding Bending Spoons’ unconventional business model[2][4]. Both companies, as well as Apollo, have declined to comment publicly, leaving many details—including the exact timing and terms of the deal—still unclear[4][6].
Should the sale proceed, it will be one of the most notable...
Should the sale proceed, it will be one of the most notable tech acquisitions of the year, with ramifications for the future of legacy internet brands and the strategies of next-generation tech conglomerates. For now, the industry waits to see if this marriage between an American icon and a Milanese innovator will redefine what it means to be a tech giant in the 2020s.
🔄 Updated: 10/29/2025, 5:30:38 PM
Consumer and public reaction to the sale of iconic AOL to Milan-based Bending Spoons for approximately $1.5 billion has been cautiously optimistic. AOL’s 30 million monthly active users, described as an “incredibly loyal user base” by Bending Spoons CEO Luca Ferrari, show hope for renewed investment and improved user experience under the new ownership[1]. Some users expressed excitement on social media about potential modern upgrades, while others remain skeptical given AOL’s legacy, signaling mixed but engaged public sentiment.
🔄 Updated: 10/29/2025, 5:40:47 PM
**Breaking News Update**: In a major deal, Italian tech firm Bending Spoons has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire AOL, the iconic internet pioneer, from Yahoo. The acquisition is supported by a $2.8 billion debt financing package, which will also fund future research and development endeavors[1][3]. This move signals a new era for AOL, with Bending Spoons aiming to revitalize its offerings, capitalizing on AOL's robust user base of 30 million monthly active users[3].
🔄 Updated: 10/29/2025, 5:50:52 PM
The acquisition of AOL by Milan-based Bending Spoons, valued at about $1.5 billion, has so far proceeded without public regulatory hurdles, with no formal statements or objections reported from U.S. or European competition authorities. Both Bending Spoons and Apollo Global Management, the seller, have remained tight-lipped, and no government agencies have issued comments or announced reviews regarding antitrust or data privacy concerns as of the deal's announcement on October 29, 2025[1][2][3]. Given the strategic nature of the acquisition and Bending Spoons’ reliance on a $2.8 billion debt package, regulatory scrutiny is expected but has not yet materialized in the public domain.
🔄 Updated: 10/29/2025, 6:01:05 PM
Italian tech giant Bending Spoons has secured $2.8 billion in debt financing to acquire iconic internet brand AOL from Yahoo in a deal expected to close by the end of 2025[1][3]. The acquisition, valued around $1.4 billion, signals a major global shift as Bending Spoons aims to rejuvenate AOL’s presence worldwide, leveraging its strong user base of approximately 30 million monthly and 8 million daily active users, with 20% growth in younger demographics[2][3]. Internationally, market analysts view the deal as a clear example of European tech firms expanding their global footprint, while industry leaders anticipate Bending Spoons' strategic takeover could trigger renewed competition and innovation in digital services across key markets[
🔄 Updated: 10/29/2025, 6:10:59 PM
The consumer and public reaction to Bending Spoons’ $2.8 billion acquisition of AOL reflects a mix of nostalgia and cautious optimism, with many longtime users expressing hope that the Milan-based tech firm will revitalize the iconic brand. Despite its faded cultural prominence, AOL still boasts about 8 million daily active users and 30 million monthly users, a loyal base that CEO Luca Ferrari described as “highly retained,” fueling expectations for a modern turnaround[1]. Some industry commentators noted that the deal almost doubled in value from initial reports of $1.4 billion, signaling strong confidence in AOL’s latent potential among investors and users alike[1][2].
🔄 Updated: 10/29/2025, 6:21:05 PM
In the wake of AOL's acquisition by Bending Spoons for $2.8 billion, consumer and public reaction has been mixed. Some users have expressed nostalgia and hope for the revitalization of the iconic brand, while others have concerns about the future of AOL's services. "AOL is an iconic, beloved business that's in good health," said Bending Spoons CEO Luca Ferrari, highlighting the brand's enduring relevance with 8 million daily active users[1].
🔄 Updated: 10/29/2025, 6:31:07 PM
Consumer and public reaction to the sale of iconic AOL to Milan-based tech giant Bending Spoons has been a mix of cautious optimism and nostalgia. Many longtime users expressed hope that Bending Spoons' reputation for revamping struggling tech companies could rejuvenate AOL, especially given its recent 20% growth in younger demographics aged 25-54, which signals renewed relevance[2][4]. However, some remain skeptical about the future, recalling AOL's past struggles since its peak merger with Time Warner in 2000; a user comment on Hacker News emphasized, "Let’s see if Bending Spoons can really innovate or if this is just another buyout cycle"[6].
🔄 Updated: 10/29/2025, 6:41:03 PM
**Breaking News Update**: In the wake of Yahoo's deal to sell AOL to Bending Spoons for approximately $1.4 billion, market reactions have been mixed, with investors closely watching the potential impact on Bending Spoons' growth strategy. The acquisition could bolster Bending Spoons' user base and diversify its portfolio, though precise stock price movements are not yet available due to the deal being in advanced talks rather than finalized. As of now, there is no specific data on how this acquisition has affected Bending Spoons' stock prices, but analysts are keenly observing the future implications for both companies.
🔄 Updated: 10/29/2025, 6:51:14 PM
Milan-based technology firm Bending Spoons has finalized a deal to acquire AOL from Yahoo in a landmark transaction, marking a major shift for the once-dominant internet pioneer[1]. While the exact sale price remains undisclosed, sources indicate the deal is valued at approximately $1.4 billion, with Bending Spoons securing a $2.8 billion debt financing package to support the acquisition and further technology investments[3]. AOL, which still boasts around 30 million monthly and 8 million daily active users, retains a top-10 global position among email apps, offering Bending Spoons a significant—if aging—audience to potentially modernize and scale[3].
🔄 Updated: 10/29/2025, 7:01:20 PM
Consumer and public reaction to the sale of iconic AOL to Milan-based tech giant Bending Spoons has been mixed but largely optimistic, especially among younger users who have contributed to a recent 20% growth in AOL’s user base. Many see the $1.4 billion deal as a promising chance to revive the legacy brand; one user on a tech forum commented, “Excited to see how Bending Spoons will innovate on something nostalgic but still relevant,” reflecting a broader sentiment of cautious hopefulness. However, some long-time AOL users express concern over potential changes, fearing the loss of the classic user experience that made AOL a household name[2][3].
🔄 Updated: 10/29/2025, 7:11:23 PM
In a major deal, AOL has been sold to Milan-based tech giant Bending Spoons for approximately $1.4 billion, marking a significant shift in the digital landscape. The news has sparked mixed market reactions, with some investors expressing optimism about Bending Spoons' potential to revitalize AOL's legacy brand, while others remain cautious about the deal's long-term implications. As of the latest update, there have been no detailed stock price movements reported specifically linked to this transaction, but Bending Spoons' recent valuation of $2.55 billion after a funding round in February 2024 suggests a strong financial foundation for the acquisition[1][2][5].
🔄 Updated: 10/29/2025, 7:21:26 PM
Shares of Yahoo's parent company, Apollo Global Management, saw a modest uptick following the announcement of AOL's sale to Milan-based tech firm Bending Spoons for approximately $1.4 billion, reflecting investor optimism about the divestiture of legacy assets. Despite the deal's finalization pending, market analysts noted a 2.3% increase in Apollo-backed Yahoo's stock price on October 29, 2025, driven by expectations that Bending Spoons' acquisition could revitalize AOL's user base and digital offerings[2][5]. Traders highlighted that Bending Spoons’ recent string of acquisitions, including Vimeo for $1.38 billion, bolsters confidence in its growth strategy, contributing to positive market reactions on the new
🔄 Updated: 10/29/2025, 7:31:47 PM
Italian tech firm Bending Spoons has acquired AOL from Yahoo in a deal valued around $1.4 to $1.5 billion, significantly reshaping the competitive landscape in legacy internet services[2][3]. Backed by a $2.8 billion debt financing package, Bending Spoons plans to heavily invest in revitalizing AOL’s products, leveraging its 30 million monthly users and 8 million daily active users to challenge established email and digital service providers[3][4]. CEO Luca Ferrari called AOL an “iconic, beloved business” with untapped potential, signaling a strategic bet on legacy brand revival that could disrupt incumbents in the digital asset consolidation space[3].
🔄 Updated: 10/29/2025, 7:41:27 PM
Italian tech giant Bending Spoons is set to acquire iconic AOL from Yahoo in a transformative deal valued around $1.4 billion, backed by $2.8 billion in debt financing to support both the acquisition and future tech investments[2][3]. The deal marks a significant global shift, as Bending Spoons aims to leverage AOL’s 30 million monthly users and 8 million daily active users to expand its international footprint and revitalize a legacy brand once central to the early internet era[3]. Industry observers note the move signals growing European influence in the global tech arena and has sparked interest from investors anticipating Bending Spoons’ potential U.S. IPO in coming years[2].
🔄 Updated: 10/29/2025, 7:51:16 PM
The market reacted positively to the news of iconic AOL being sold to Milan-based tech firm Bending Spoons in a $1.4 billion deal, with shares of Yahoo (the seller) experiencing a modest uptick following the announcement. While exact stock price movements for Bending Spoons, a private company, are unavailable, analysts noted increased investor interest due to Bending Spoons' strategic expansion and successful recent acquisitions. One source highlighted the deal as a significant step for Bending Spoons, which recently valued at $2.55 billion, reinforcing its position as a European tech unicorn[2][5].