Discord, the popular chat platform renowned within the gaming community, is reportedly gearing up for an initial public offering (IPO). Sources cited by The New York Times reveal that Discord's leadership has been engaging with investment bankers in recent weeks to lay the groundwork for an IPO that could take place as early as this year. The company was last valued at around $15 billion 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's rise in popularity, particularly among gamers, can be attributed to its gaming-friendly features and robust moderation and community tools. The platform has been seamlessly integrated into PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles, providing an easy and convenient voice chat option during gameplay. Additionally, Discord has introduced streaming capabilities and remains free to use, though it offers monetized options for enhanced customization.
However, the prospect of an IPO has sparked concerns among users. On Reddit's r/Discordapp, the most up-voted comment on the relevant thread expressed skepticism: "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, a post on r/technology lamented, "Rip Discord, brought into the cycle of infinite growth at any cost."
These IPO rumors are not entirely unexpected. In 2021, it was reported that Discord was in discussions with at least three potential buyers, including Microsoft. However, the company later decided to remain independent and pursue an IPO instead.
