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WeTransfer
Cloud-based file transfer service From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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WeTransfer B.V. is a Dutch Internet-based computer file transfer service company that was founded in 2009 and based in Amsterdam.[3] In 2024, the company was acquired by Bending Spoons.[4]
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History
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Early history
WeTransfer was founded in 2009 by Rinke Visser, Bas Beerens and Ronald Hans (Nalden) in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.[5][3] It was created to enable the sharing of large files (up to 2 GB) free of charge.[6]
In 2012, WeTransfer implemented a re-design and introduced a paid-for 'Plus' tier with support for larger file transfers.[6][7]
In 2014, WeTransfer launched "creative-class.tv", an ongoing video series. The company initiated its first bursaries that year through a collaborative partnership with Central Saint Martins.[8] These scholarships supported two students from around the globe in their full-time studies.
In 2015, WeTransfer raised a US$25 million Series A funding round from Highland Capital Partners Europe.[9] They also added venture capitalist Troy Carter to its board.[10][11]
2016–2022
In 2016, WeTransfer announced the acquisition of digital design studio Present Plus,[12] established in 2010 by Damian Bradfield and WeTransfer co-founder Nalden.[12] In September, WeTransfer opened its first office in the United States at Venice Beach, Los Angeles.[13]
In early 2017, Gordon Willoughby became the company's Chief Executive Officer, taking over from Bas Beerens, who became Executive Chairman.[14]
In January 2018, WeTransfer launched a content arm called "WePresent".[15] In August, WeTransfer acquired app developer FiftyThree, who owned sketching app Paper and collaborative presentation app Paste.[16] In October, WeTransfer relaunched its mobile app under the name "Collect by WeTransfer".[17][18]
In June 2019, WeTransfer experienced a security incident in which files were "sent to the wrong people".[19] In August, the company closed a €35 million secondary funding round led by HPE Growth.[20]
In May 2020, India banned WeTransfer, citing security reasons.[21] In June, the company became a certified B Corporation.[22]
In February 2021, WeTransfer claimed to have achieved carbon-neutral certification, having pledged the previous year to reduce emissions by 30% by 2025.[23] In March, the 2020 short film "The Long Goodbye" by Aneil Karia and Riz Ahmed commissioned by WeTransfer through WePresent won the 2022 Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film.[24] In April, the company launched a charitable arm known as "Supporting Act", focused on helping emerging creative talent, pledging to donate 1% of revenues from 2022 onwards.[25] In October, WeTransfer announced sales in 2020 of €65m.[26]
In April 2021, Reuters reported that the WeTransfer logos and likeness were used in high-profile phishing scams.[27]
In January 2022, WeTransfer planned for an IPO for a valuation of up to $800 million but ended up canceling the offering shortly before listing citing market volatility.[28]
In 2022, Alexandar Vassilev took over as the company's Chief Executive Officer.[29]
In May 2023, WeTransfer announced it reduced 78% of server emissions as part of its environmental commitments.[30]
Sale to Bending Spoons
In July 2024 Italian technology company Bending Spoons announced that it would acquire WeTransfer.[31]
In early September 2024, Bending Spoons' CEO Luca Ferrari announced that WeTransfer would be having layoffs, with 'up to 3/4 of the jobs' likely to be cut.[2][32]
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Leadership
Bas Beerens founded the file-sharing platform WeTransfer[33] with Nalden (Ronald Hans) and Rinke Visser in 2009.[34]
Damian Bradfield joined the company as a "founding shareholder" in 2010.[35] Bradfield is currently WeTransfer's Chief Creative Officer.
Chief Executive Gordon Willoughby joined WeTransfer in January 2017.[36] He announced his departure from the company in May 2022 and was replaced by former Chief Technology Officer Alexandar Vassilev.[37]
Chief Financial Officer Melissa Nussbaum joined WeTransfer from King in September 2020.[38]
Martha Lane Fox joined WeTransfer as chair in July 2020.[39]
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Technology
WeTransfer is based on Amazon's infrastructure and technology. It uses Amazon S3 for storage and for sending files.[40]
Services
WeTransfer offers a free, limited service, and a paid option called "Pro" where users can send and store more data.[41][42]
Revenue model
WeTransfer has a dual revenue model split between advertising and premium ("pro") subscriptions.[43]
WeTransfer displays full-screen advertisements while transferring[44] instead of banner ads.[45] The company donated 30% of the advertising inventory to creatives and charitable causes.[46]
See also
References
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