WeTransfer

WeTransfer was founded in 2009 by Rinke Visser, Bas Beerens and Ronald Hans (Nalden) in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.{{Cite web |url=https://www.quotenet.nl/financien/beurs/a36615224/nederlands-wetransfer-mikt-op-beurswaardering-van-euro1-miljard/ |title=Nederlands WeTransfer mikt op beurswaardering van €1 miljard |trans-title=Dutch WeTransfer aims for €1 billion market valuation |date=3 June 2021 |last=Zeven |first=Martijn |language=nl |work=Quote |issn=0920-8275}} It was created to enable the sharing of large files (up to 2 GB) free of charge.{{cite web|url=http://www.wetransfer.com/about|title=WeTransfer|website=wetransfer.com|access-date=27 June 2017}}

In 2012, WeTransfer implemented a re-design and introduced a paid-for 'Plus' tier with support for larger file transfers.{{Cite web |date=2012-09-21 |title=WeTransfer: The Internet's Cleanest and Simplest File Sharing Drops a New Beta Version |url=https://hypebeast.com/2012/9/wetransfer-the-internets-cleanest-and-simplest-file-sharing-drops-a-new-beta-version |access-date=2022-05-30 |website=HYPEBEAST |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530221843/https://hypebeast.com/2012/9/wetransfer-the-internets-cleanest-and-simplest-file-sharing-drops-a-new-beta-version |archive-date=2022-05-30}}

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.{{cite web|url= https://www.arts.ac.uk/colleges/central-saint-martins/stories/ma-material-futures-announces-new-bursaries |title=MA Material Futures Announces New Bursaries|website= Central Saint Martins |date=28 January 2019|access-date=22 June 2020}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Dutch startup WeTransfer just raised $25 million to expand into the US |url=https://www.businessinsider.in/dutch-startup-wetransfer-just-raised-25-million-to-expand-into-the-us/articleshow/46274383.cms |access-date=2023-06-07 |website=Business Insider |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229180209/https://www.businessinsider.in/dutch-startup-wetransfer-just-raised-25-million-to-expand-into-the-us/articleshow/46274383.cms |archive-date=2024-02-29}} They also added venture capitalist Troy Carter to its board.{{cite web|url= https://www.fastcompany.com/3053325/troy-carter-joins-the-board-of-wetransfer |website=Fast Company |title=Troy Carter Joins The Board Of WeTransfer|date=9 November 2015|access-date=27 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220701070455/https://www.fastcompany.com/3053325/troy-carter-joins-the-board-of-wetransfer |archive-date=2022-07-01}}{{cite web|url= https://techcrunch.com/2015/02/17/wetransfer/|title=WeTransfer, Funky Dutch Cousin Of Dropbox And Box, Gets $25M To Go Large In The U.S. |first=Ingrid |last=Lunden |date=17 February 2015 |publisher= TechCrunch |access-date=27 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804032254/https://techcrunch.com/2015/02/17/wetransfer/ |archive-date=2024-08-04}}

In 2016, WeTransfer announced the acquisition of digital design studio Present Plus,{{cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/03/10/wetransfer-present-plus/|title=Dropbox rival WeTransfer acquires Present Plus to boost product and design teams|first=Ingrid|last=Lunden |newspaper=Techcrunch|access-date=27 June 2017}} established in 2010 by Damian Bradfield and WeTransfer co-founder Nalden. In September, WeTransfer opened its first office in the United States at Venice Beach, Los Angeles.{{cite web|url=http://www.laweekly.com/music/how-to-make-your-tech-company-cool-throw-a-party-with-kamasi-washington-7448312|title=How to Make Your Tech Company Cool: Throw a Party With Kamasi Washington|first=Chris|last=Kissel|date=3 October 2016|website=LA Weekly|access-date=27 June 2017}}

In early 2017, Gordon Willoughby became the company's Chief Executive Officer, taking over from Bas Beerens, who became Executive Chairman.{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/12/15/wetransfers-co-founder-leaves-ceo-role-ex-amazon-exec-steps-in-for-commercial-push/|title=WeTransfer's founder leaves CEO role, ex-Amazon exec steps in for commercial push|first=Ingrid|last=Lunden|website= TechCrunch|date=15 December 2016 |access-date=27 June 2017}}

In January 2018, WeTransfer launched a content arm called "WePresent".{{Cite web |last=Kiefer |first=Brittaney |date=December 13, 2021 |title=WeTransfer's Creative Work Has Qualified for the Oscars |url=https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/how-wetransfer-went-from-tech-service-to-oscar-qualifier/ |work=Adweek |access-date=2022-03-03 |language=en-US}} In August, WeTransfer acquired app developer FiftyThree, who owned sketching app Paper and collaborative presentation app Paste.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/8/21/17763914/wetransfer-fiftythree-acquisition-paper-paste-apps|title=WeTransfer buys creative apps Paper and Paste from FiftyThree|work=The Verge|access-date=2018-08-21}} In October, WeTransfer relaunched its mobile app under the name "Collect by WeTransfer".{{cite news |last1=Hardwick |first1=Tim |title=WeTransfer Relaunches Mobile File-Sharing App as 'Collect' |url=https://www.macrumors.com/2018/10/30/wetransfer-launches-collect-mobile-app/ |access-date=2 November 2018 |publisher=Mac Rumors |date=October 30, 2018}}{{cite news |last1=Lucic |first1=Kristijan |title=WeTransfer App Gets Rebranded To 'Collect by WeTransfer' |url=https://www.androidheadlines.com/2018/10/collect-by-wetransfer-app.html |access-date=2 November 2018 |publisher=Android Headlines |date=October 29, 2018}}

In June 2019, WeTransfer experienced a security incident in which files were "sent to the wrong people".{{Cite web |title=WeTransfer Security Incident Sent Files to the Wrong People |url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/wetransfer-security-incident-sent-files-to-the-wrong-people/ |access-date=2022-05-30 |website=BleepingComputer |language=en-us |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112034757/https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/wetransfer-security-incident-sent-files-to-the-wrong-people/ |archive-date=2020-11-12}} In August, the company closed a €35 million secondary funding round led by HPE Growth.{{Cite web|last=O'Hear|first=Steve|date=19 August 2019|title=HPE Growth backs WeTransfer in €35M secondary funding round|url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/08/19/wetransfer-cash/|access-date=2020-07-20|website=TechCrunch|language=en-US}}

In May 2020, India banned WeTransfer, citing security reasons.{{Cite web |title=WeTransfer 'Partially' Blocked in India, Company Says |url=https://www.gadgets360.com/internet/news/wetransfer-not-working-in-india-ban-block-dot-order-isps-2237899 |access-date=2022-03-03 |website=NDTV Gadgets 360 |date=31 May 2020 |language=en}} In June, the company became a certified B Corporation.{{Cite web|last=Aziz|first=Afdhel|title=WeTransfer Announces It Is Becoming A B-Corp|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/afdhelaziz/2020/06/10/wetransfer-announces-it-is-becoming-a-b-corp/|access-date=2020-07-20|website=Forbes|language=en}}

In February 2021, WeTransfer claimed to have achieved carbon-neutral certification, having pledged the previous year to reduce emissions by 30% by 2025.{{Cite web|title=WeTransfer turns to offsets to achieve carbon-neutral certification|url=https://www.edie.net/news/16/WeTransfer-turns-to-offsets-to-achieve-carbon-neutral-certification/|access-date=2022-01-06|website=edie.net|language=en}} 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.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-27 |title=Riz Ahmed wins Oscar for The Long Goodbye |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/mar/27/riz-ahmed-wins-oscar-the-long-goodbye |access-date=2022-07-26 |website=the Guardian |language=en}} 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.{{Cite web|last=Tait|first=Simon|title=WeTransfer sets up foundation to train future creatives|url=https://www.artsindustry.co.uk/news/2467-wetransfer-sets-up-foundation-to-train-future-creatives|access-date=2022-01-06|website=artsindustry.co.uk|date=22 April 2021 |language=en-gb}} In October, WeTransfer announced sales in 2020 of €65m.{{Cite news|title=WeTransfer Sales Jump to $76 Million in 2020 Before Possible IPO|newspaper=Bloomberg.com |date=25 October 2021 |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-10-25/wetransfer-sales-jump-to-76-million-in-2020-before-possible-ipo|access-date=2022-01-06|publisher=Bloomberg L.P.}}

In April 2021, Reuters reported that the WeTransfer logos and likeness were used in high-profile phishing scams.{{Cite web |last=Browne |first=Ryan |date=2021-04-24 |title=Fake 'WeTransfer' file download steals Aussies' personal details |url=https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/wetransfer-scam-011859516.html |access-date=2023-01-03 |publisher=Yahoo |language=en}}

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.{{Cite web |last=Browne |first=Ryan |date=2022-01-27 |title=The stock market is so volatile that one European tech firm has canceled its IPO |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/27/wetransfer-cancels-ipo-due-to-stock-market-volatility.html |access-date=2022-05-30 |publisher=CNBC |language=en}}

In 2022, Alexandar Vassilev took over as the company's Chief Executive Officer.{{Cite web |last=Levingston |first=Ivan |date=2022-05-03 |title=WeTransfer Boss Willoughby to Exit, CTO Vassilev to Succeed|website=Bloomberg News |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-05-03/wetransfer-boss-willoughby-to-exit-cto-vassilev-to-succeed}}

In May 2023, WeTransfer announced it reduced 78% of server emissions as part of its environmental commitments.{{Cite web |date=2023-04-21 |title=Tech tackles carbon: WeTransfer and Apple confirm emissions cuts, TikTok moves to tackle climate misinformation |url=https://www.businessgreen.com/news/4112554/tech-tackles-carbon-wetransfer-apple-confirm-emissions-cuts-tiktok-moves-tackle-climate-misinformation |access-date=2023-05-02 |website=www.businessgreen.com |language=en}}

In July 2024 Italian technology company Bending Spoons announced that it would acquire WeTransfer.{{Cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/italys-bending-spoons-buys-file-sharing-service-wetransfer-2024-07-31/ |title=Italy's Bending Spoons buys file sharing service WeTransfer |date=31 July 2024 |publisher=Reuters |last=Pollina |first=Elvira |editor-last=Weir |editor-first=Keith |access-date=31 July 2024}}

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.{{Cite web |title=FD: nieuwe eigenaar van WeTransfer schrapt driekwart van personeel |url=https://tweakers.net/nieuws/226292/fd-nieuwe-eigenaar-van-wetransfer-schrapt-driekwart-van-personeel.html |access-date=2024-09-06 |website=Tweakers |language=NL}}{{Cite web |last=Mehta |first=Ivan |date=2024-09-08 |title=Bending Spoons plans to lay off 75% of WeTransfer staff after acquisition |url=https://techcrunch.com/2024/09/08/bending-spoons-plans-to-lay-off-75-of-wetransfer-staff-after-acquisition/ |access-date=2024-09-09 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909080124/https://techcrunch.com/2024/09/08/bending-spoons-plans-to-lay-off-75-of-wetransfer-staff-after-acquisition/ |archive-date=2024-09-09}}

Bas Beerens founded the file-sharing platform WeTransfer[http://www.creativebloq.com/design-tools/send-large-files-clients-free-tools-3132117 Send large files to clients with these 11 free tools] on creativebloq.com. Retrieved 16 July 2018 with Nalden (Ronald Hans) and Rinke Visser in 2009.[http://www.eenmanierom.nl/gratis-en-eenvoudig-grote-bestanden-te-delen-met-wetransfer/ Gratis en eenvoudig grote bestanden te delen met WeTransfer] on eenmanierom.nl. Retrieved 16 July 2018

Damian Bradfield joined the company as a "founding shareholder" in 2010.{{cite news |last=Holmes |first=Barry J. |url=https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/companies/article/damian-bradfield-the-wetransfer-boss-who-ships-1bn-files-a-month-wbm2bq3lz |title=Damian Bradfield — the WeTransfer boss who ships 1bn files a month |newspaper=The Sunday Times |date=24 June 2018 |access-date=26 November 2019 }} Bradfield is currently WeTransfer's Chief Creative Officer.

Chief Executive Gordon Willoughby joined WeTransfer in January 2017.{{Cite web |date=2020-06-10 |title=File-sending scaleup WeTransfer CEO Gordon Willoughby on becoming a B Corp: 'It fits our purpose' |url=https://siliconcanals.com/news/wetransfer-b-corp-interview-ceo-gordon-willoughby/ |access-date=2022-02-28 |language=en-US}} He announced his departure from the company in May 2022 and was replaced by former Chief Technology Officer Alexandar Vassilev.{{Cite news |date=2022-05-03 |title=WeTransfer Boss Willoughby to Exit, CTO Vassilev to Succeed |language=en |publisher=Bloomberg L.P. |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-05-03/wetransfer-boss-willoughby-to-exit-cto-vassilev-to-succeed |access-date=2022-05-30}}

Chief Financial Officer Melissa Nussbaum joined WeTransfer from King in September 2020.{{Cite news |last=Trentmann |first=Nina |date=2020-09-24 |title=File-Sharing Company WeTransfer Names First CFO |language=en-US |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/file-sharing-company-wetransfer-names-first-cfo-11600963200 |access-date=2022-03-03 |issn=0099-9660}}

Martha Lane Fox joined WeTransfer as chair in July 2020.{{Cite web |last=Aziz |first=Afdhel |title=WeTransfer Announces It Is Becoming A B-Corp |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/afdhelaziz/2020/06/10/wetransfer-announces-it-is-becoming-a-b-corp/ |access-date=2022-02-28 |website=Forbes |language=en}}

WeTransfer is based on Amazon's infrastructure and technology. It uses Amazon S3 for storage and for sending files.{{Cite web|url=https://aws.amazon.com/solutions/case-studies/wetransfer/|title=AWS Case Study: WeTransfer|website=Amazon Web Services, Inc.|access-date=2019-05-22}}

WeTransfer offers a free, limited service, and a paid option called "Pro" where users can send and store more data.{{Cite news |title=Controlling the cloud: how to make the most of your online storage |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/controlling-the-cloud-how-to-make-the-most-of-your-online-storage-1.4523000 |access-date=2022-05-31 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-03-26 |title=How to share huge files online |url=https://www.popsci.com/share-huge-files-online/ |access-date=2022-05-31 |website=Popular Science |language=en-US}}

WeTransfer has a dual revenue model split between advertising and premium ("pro") subscriptions.{{Cite web |title=WeTransfer Case Study |url=https://aws.amazon.com/solutions/case-studies/wetransfer/ |access-date=2022-05-30 |website=Amazon Web Services, Inc. |language=en-US}}

WeTransfer displays full-screen advertisements while transferring{{cite web|url=https://www.behance.net/gallery/1319117/Nalden-App|title=Behance|website=behance.net|date=April 2011 |access-date=27 June 2017}} instead of banner ads.{{cite web|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/3026471/how-the-founder-of-wetransfer-went-from-blog-to-startup|title=How The Cofounder Of WeTransfer Went From Blog To Startup|date=13 February 2014|website=Fast Company|access-date=27 June 2017}} The company donated 30% of the advertising inventory to creatives and charitable causes.{{Cite web |last=Budds |first=Diana |date=2017-10-12 |title=WeTransfer's Plan To Disrupt The Creative Process |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90146204/wetransfer-made-file-sharing-simple-can-it-do-the-same-for-the-whole-creative-process |access-date=2022-03-02 |website=Fast Company |language=en-US}}

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