Nalden, co-founder of the file transfer service WeTransfer, is developing a new file transfer service called Boomerang, citing dissatisfaction with WeTransfer's direction since its acquisition by Bending Spoons last year. Nalden, who launched WeTransfer in 2009 with Rinke Visser and Bas Beerens, expressed concerns that recent changes have negatively impacted the user experience.
Nalden told TechCrunch that Bending Spoons' focus appeared to deviate from the original ethos of WeTransfer. "Bending Spoons doesn’t really care about people, and even though I get that it is their private equity strategy, I notice that since I left WeTransfer in 2019, there were a lot of updates that were basically killing the product, in my point of view," he said.
Following the acquisition, WeTransfer implemented changes to its transfer link experience and laid off 75 employees. The company also faced criticism this year for initially planning to use user content to train artificial intelligence models, a decision it later reversed after public outcry. These events prompted creatives to reach out to Nalden with their frustrations, leading him to create an alternative.
Boomerang aims to provide a simpler file transfer experience, allowing users to send files without requiring an account login. Nalden emphasized the importance of simplicity in technology, stating, "Why do tech companies always make things so complicated? I’ve always struggled with this, and I just wanted" to create a service that prioritizes ease of use.
WeTransfer, known for its user-friendly interface and focus on the creative community, became a popular tool for sharing large files. The acquisition by Bending Spoons, a private equity firm known for acquiring and optimizing existing software companies, signaled a potential shift in strategy. The controversy surrounding AI training data and the staff layoffs suggest a move towards increased efficiency and potentially new revenue streams.
The launch of Boomerang represents a return to the original principles that made WeTransfer successful, focusing on simplicity and user experience. The service is currently available, offering a no-login file transfer option. It remains to be seen whether Boomerang can capture a significant share of the file transfer market, which includes established players like Dropbox and Google Drive, but its focus on simplicity may resonate with users seeking a straightforward alternative.
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