Bending Spoons, the mobile‑app developer known for its rapid acquisition strategy, has agreed to buy Eventbrite, Inc. for $500 million in an all‑cash transaction. The deal values Eventbrite at $4.50 per share, an 82% premium over the 60‑day volume‑weighted average price as of December 1 2025, and will make Eventbrite a privately held subsidiary. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2026, subject to customary regulatory approvals and shareholder consent.
The acquisition aligns with Bending Spoons’ focus on acquiring digital businesses with proven product‑market fit and then optimizing them through technology, design, and monetization. By adding Eventbrite’s global ticket‑ing platform, customer base, and event‑management technology, Bending Spoons aims to broaden its portfolio into the live‑experience sector. The deal follows recent purchases of Vimeo for $1.38 billion and a definitive agreement to acquire AOL, underscoring the company’s aggressive expansion into high‑growth digital markets.
Eventbrite’s 2024 financials provide context for the premium. Revenue fell 0.33% to $325.07 million, while the company posted a net loss of $15.57 million. Quarterly results showed a decline in revenue and profitability: Q4 2024 revenue was $76.5 million, down 13% YoY, with a net loss of $8.4 million; Q3 2024 revenue was $71.7 million, down 8% YoY, but the company recorded a net income of $6.4 million. The premium reflects both the perceived undervaluation of Eventbrite’s public market price and Bending Spoons’ belief in the long‑term growth potential of the event‑ticketing sector.
The announcement triggered a sharp market reaction, with Eventbrite’s shares surging nearly 80% in pre‑market trading to about $4.44. The 82% premium and all‑cash nature of the offer were cited as the primary drivers of the rally, indicating investor confidence that the transaction unlocks significant value for shareholders. Analysts noted that the premium is consistent with Bending Spoons’ track record of acquiring undervalued digital businesses and then driving growth through operational improvements.
Post‑acquisition, Bending Spoons plans to retain Eventbrite’s management team and integrate the platform into its portfolio. The company intends to add new features such as a dedicated messaging layer, AI‑powered event creation tools, enhanced searchability, and a secondary ticket‑market system. Cross‑promotion of Bending Spoons’ app portfolio with Eventbrite’s event‑management platform is expected to create synergies that expand both user bases and revenue streams. The deal marks a significant shift for Eventbrite, moving from a public marketplace operator to a privately held subsidiary focused on innovation and growth.
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