Microsoft Corp. is in advanced talks to acquire the Discord Inc. messaging platform. for $ 10 billion or more, according to people familiar with the matter, while the software giant is trying to deepen its consumer offerings.
Microsoft and Discord are in exclusive talks and could reach an agreement next month, assuming the negotiations will not fall apart, people said.
Initially a favorite of players, Discord in San Francisco offers voice, text and video chat. The platform’s popularity has grown since the pandemic grew as people stayed home and connected online – as did other chat services such as WhatsApp Facebook Inc. and Signal Messenger LLC. Discordia considered an IPO.
Microsoft, which has a market value of over $ 1.7 trillion, has been looking for an acquisition that will help it reach more consumers. Last summer, he held talks to buy the popular TikTok video sharing app, amid a high-quality geopolitical confrontation sparked by the Trump administration, before giving up the effort.
VentureBeat reported this week that Discord is exploring a sale and has entered into exclusive discussions with an anonymous suitor.