Meetup acquired by Milan-based startup Bending Spoons

Meetup, the popular NYC-based social event platform that connects people through local groups and activities, has officially been acquired by Milan, Spain-based mobile app developer Bending Spoons. The details of the deal are under wraps, but Bending Spoons announced the agreement on Monday, sharing that they’re set to become the proud new owners of Meetup, pending closing conditions. The acquisition is on track to be finalized later this month.

In a blog post titled “A New Home for Meetup,” Luca Ferrari, co-founder and CEO of Bending Spoons, expressed excitement about welcoming Meetup into their digital technology products portfolio.

Founded in 2002 by Brendan McGovern, Matt Meeker, Peter Kamali, and Scott Heiferman, Meetup.com has become a go-to social networking platform, fostering connections between individuals with shared interests or goals. Whether it’s expanding social circles, exploring new activities, or networking professionally, Meetup has played a pivotal role in creating local communities.

Ferrari added, “We’re eager to support Meetup’s future success by drawing from the expertise we’ve developed in a decade of building high-performing digital technology products. Once we officially take the reins you’ll hear more from us, including about future plans. In the meantime, I want to congratulate the Meetup team on building such a wonderful, beloved product. And I want to thank you, the organizers and members, for embracing Meetup and its mission so enthusiastically.”

This is the third time Meetup has changed hands. In November 2017, Meetup was also acquired by coworking startup WeWork for an undisclosed sum.

For those familiar with Bending Spoons, the Milan-based mobile app developer made headlines last summer after securing new funding from institutional investors as it eyed an IPO.

Founded in 2013 by Luca Ferrari, Francesco Patarnello, Matteo Danieli, Luca Querella, and Tomasz Greber, Bending Spoons has made a global impact, boasting a track record of 500 million downloads and 100 million active users per month. Their suite of digital technology products, including Evernote, Remini, and Splice, has served over half a billion people worldwide. Exciting times ahead for the Meetup community under its new ownership!

Bending Spoons Founders