According to a report from The New York Times, the popular chat platform Discord is exploring the possibility of an initial public offering (IPO). Sources indicate that Discord's leadership has engaged with investment bankers over the past few weeks to discuss the groundwork for an IPO, which might occur as early as this year. The company was valued at approximately $15 billion during its last valuation in 2021.
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, due 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 during gameplay, and has recently added streaming capabilities. While Discord is free to use, it also offers various monetized options that provide users with enhanced customization features.
However, the prospect of an IPO has raised concerns among users. On the r/Discordapp subreddit, the most upvoted comment reflects a common sentiment: "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."
The idea of Discord pursuing an IPO isn't entirely surprising. In 2021, it was reported that the company was in discussions with at least three potential buyers, including Microsoft. However, a month later, it was revealed that Discord had chosen to remain independent and was instead focusing on an IPO.
