Discord IPO: Company Reportedly Eyes Public Offering

Recent reports from The New York Times suggest that the popular chat platform, Discord, may be gearing up for an initial public offering (IPO). According to sources, Discord's leadership has been engaging with investment bankers to lay the groundwork for an IPO that could potentially launch as soon as this year. The last valuation of Discord in 2021 pegged its worth 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 among gaming communities, due to its gaming-friendly features and robust moderation and community tools. The platform has been integrated into PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles as a convenient voice chat option, and it has also introduced streaming capabilities. While Discord is free to use, it offers monetized options that provide access to additional customizable features.

Despite its success, some users have expressed apprehension about the potential impact of an IPO on Discord's functionality. On the r/Discordapp subreddit, the most up-voted comment reflects this 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, a post on r/technology reads, "Rip Discord, brought into the cycle of infinite growth at any cost."

These IPO rumors are not entirely unexpected, as there have been previous indications that Discord was considering this route. In 2021, it was reported that Discord was in discussions with at least three companies, including Microsoft, about a potential acquisition. However, a month later, it was announced that Discord would remain independent and pursue an IPO instead.