This week, Bending Spoons — the Italian software conglomorate that’s gobbled up Evernote, Meetup, and WeTransfer — agreed to buy video hosting platform Vimeo for $1.38 billion.
Bending Spoons, which already bought video platform Brightcove last year, has a reputation for slashing workforces, and it will take the publicly traded Vimeo private as part of the deal.
Judging by the price tag, Vimeo’s definitely still relevant, but the sale marks another step in its evolution. Here we note every twist and turn from the one-time YouTube competitor:
2004: The online comedy website CollegeHumor builds Vimeo for use with its own videos.
2006: IAC, which owns the Home Shopping Network and USA Networks, buys a 51% stake in College Humor for $21 million, getting Vimeo as part of the deal. Later that year, Google acquires YouTube for $1.65 billion.
2007: Vimeo stands out from YouTube and other video platforms by offering high-definition video and curation.
2008: YouTube introduces algorithmic content.
2012: While YouTube goes for quantity, Vimeo goes hard on quality, redesigning the site to highlight its creator-specific tools and then adding 4K in 2014.
2016: Vimeo acquires VHX, a platform where indie filmmakers post content. It makes noises about doing original programming like Netflix.
2017: Vimeo acquires Livestream, which does…livestreaming. It then launches Vimeo Live.
2019: Vimeo acquires Magisto, which uses AI to help content creators make videos.
2021: Vimeo spins out from IAC and goes public.
2023: Vimeo adds AI tools to its video-creation platform.
2025: Bending Spoons buys Vimeo.