Why I left Bending Spoons
"It is not the critic who counts; ... The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood" — Theodore Roosevelt
As you already know, a couple of weeks ago I left my job at Bending Spoons.
It’s one of those decisions that’s both terrifying and exciting, the kind that makes your heart beat faster when you say it out loud. So here’s why I did it.
Ever since I started writing code, I’ve known I wanted to build something of my own. Not just a side project or a cool app, but an actual company. Something meaningful. That desire has always been there, quietly shaping my decisions, even when I took jobs at great companies.
Before Bending Spoons, I had already been CTO of a startup. Even while working full time, I never fully disconnected from that world. I kept getting messages from friends, acquaintances, and complete strangers asking me to join them in their projects or startups.
None of these ever fully materialized, but I kept engaging with the opportunities — like dancing around them without ever fully committing. I even ended up collaborating with some of the people involved.
Those conversations built up over the years. They started to feel like something more than just random chats. They were a signal. Over and over, I saw the same pain: it’s incredibly hard to find a technical co-founder.
That realization hit me hard: there’s a huge opportunity here.
Without realizing it, I was increasing my Luck Surface Area. And eventually, one of those conversations (grazie Edo!) led me to meet the person who’s now my co-founder.
But the decision wasn’t just about market gaps or opportunities.
I see a wave coming. The Italian startup ecosystem is growing — in size, in quality, in ambition, in willingness to help too. Especially in Milan. There’s energy and talent and capital, and I want to be part of it. I want to help shape it, and maybe inspire others to jump in too.
As software engineers, we’re lucky. Worst case? I freelance. Maybe I go back to a full-time job. But right now? I owe it to myself to bet on this path — to build, to experiment, to see how far it can go.
Of course, it’s still a leap. Leaving a great job always is. But it’s not a reckless one.
So here I am. Starting something new.
If you're feeling the startup pull too, whether you're already building something, exploring ideas, or just curious, I’d love to hear from you. Especially if you're an engineer, founder, or enthusiast in Milan. Let’s grab a coffee. Or just chat.
We’re still early, and that's the beauty of it. Here in Milan, there’s plenty of room to shape the wave that's coming. The best part? We're just getting started.
Further readings:
It's such an amazing opportunity that you're having, to really use those long aquired skills and build something meaningful. I can't wait to see what product/ service you have in mind and hope to use it some day. Wish you all the best!
Great intro Roberto, really enjoyed reading about your story and excited to see what your working on.