In its first deal since going public, Italian unicorn Bending Spoons buys Airtable at a $9 billion discount

In a first acquisition since going public, Italian software company Bending Spoons announced its purchase of Airtable on Tuesday at a $9 billion discount. The cash deal values Airtable at $1.285 billion, with an equity value of approximately $2.25 billion once the company's cash reserves are considered. This acquisition is a stark contrast to Airtable's peak valuation, which reached over $11 billion during the technology boom of 2021.

Bending Spoons CEO and co-founder Luca Ferrari expressed enthusiasm for adding Airtable to the portfolio, stating that the Italian startup aims to enhance data organization and workflow management for teams. Airtable, founded in 2013, serves over 500,000 organizations, including 80% of the Fortune 100, and has experienced a 20% year-over-year growth in annual recurring revenue, reaching approximately $480 million as of June 2026.

The acquisition is expected to be finalized by the end of the year, pending regulatory approval. Bending Spoons, which has acquired more than 50 companies to date, views the current software valuation environment as favorable for a buyer, as many previously high-growth subscription companies have had to adjust their valuations in response to market realities.