Eventbrite Acquired for $500 Million by Bending Spoons, Set to Go Private

Bending Spoons, an Italian technology conglomerate, has agreed to acquire U.S.-based event ticketing platform Eventbrite for approximately $500 million in an all-cash deal. The acquisition, announced on December 2, 2025, will take Eventbrite private, marking a significant shift for the company that went public in 2018. This strategic move aligns with Bending Spoons' established approach of revitalizing established tech brands with stagnant growth.

Bending Spoons has gained recognition for its distinctive approach to acquiring and transforming what it terms "stalled" or "venture zombie" software firms. The company's portfolio already includes well-known names such as Evernote, Meetup, Vimeo, and most recently, an agreement to acquire AOL. As noted by Austin Rief on social media, "> These guys are on an absolute heater buying up 20 year old Silicon Valley companies with no growth. AOL, Vimeo, Evernote, Meetup and now Eventbrite. Everyone talks about the tech PE playbook. They're actually doing it."

Eventbrite, co-founded in 2006, raised approximately $330 million in venture capital before its 2018 initial public offering, where it was valued at $1.76 billion. However, the company's stock has largely underperformed since its public debut, particularly after being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Audited annual revenues for fiscal years 2023 and 2024 remained flat at around $325 million, indicating a period of limited growth.

Under the terms of the agreement, Eventbrite stockholders are set to receive $4.50 per share in cash. This represents a substantial 81% to 82% premium over the stock's closing price or 60-day volume-weighted average prior to the announcement. The transaction, which has received unanimous approval from Eventbrite's board, is anticipated to conclude in the first half of 2026, pending customary regulatory and shareholder approvals.

Bending Spoons plans to infuse Eventbrite with new life by overhauling its technology and introducing innovative features. Luca Ferrari, Bending Spoons' CEO and co-founder, stated that the company looks forward to "building a dedicated messaging feature, introducing AI for easier event creation, improving searchability, and creating a system for the secondary ticket market." Eventbrite Co-Founder and CEO Julia Hartz expressed optimism, saying, "As we look ahead, I’m energized by the speed, resources, and innovative power of Bending Spoons to propel Eventbrite into its next chapter."