Recent reports from The New York Times suggest that the popular chat platform, Discord, is exploring the possibility of an initial public offering (IPO). Sources indicate that Discord's leadership has been engaging with investment bankers to lay the groundwork for an IPO that could potentially occur as soon as this year. The last valuation of Discord in 2021 pegged the company at around $15 billion.
In response to these reports, a Discord spokesperson told The New York Times, "We understand there is a lot of interest around Discord’s future plans, but we do not comment on rumors or speculation. Our focus remains on delivering the best possible experience for our users and building a strong, sustainable business."
Discord has seen a significant rise in popularity, particularly within the gaming community, thanks to its gaming-friendly features and robust moderation and community tools. The platform has been integrated into PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles, offering an easy and convenient voice chat option for gamers. Additionally, Discord has recently added streaming options to its suite of features. While the platform is free to use, it also offers various monetized options that provide access to a broader range of customizable features.
However, the prospect of an IPO has sparked concerns among users about the long-term impact on Discord's functionality. On the r/Discordapp subreddit, the most up-voted comment expressed skepticism, stating, "Whelp! It's been fun, but anytime someone decides they want to 'make a public offering' then the company *everything* goes to shit. What's the next communications platform promising to not sell out, like all the others?" Similarly, on r/technology, users lamented, "Rip Discord, brought into the cycle of infinite growth at any cost."
These IPO rumors are not entirely surprising, given that Discord was previously in talks with at least three companies, including Microsoft, about a potential acquisition in 2021. However, the company later decided to remain independent and pursue an IPO instead.
