Discord, the popular chat platform favored by gamers and various online communities, is reportedly considering an initial public offering (IPO), according to sources cited by The New York Times. Recent meetings between Discord's leadership and investment bankers suggest that the company could be preparing to go public as early as this year. In 2021, Discord was valued at around $15 billion, indicating significant growth and investor interest.
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 gained immense popularity, particularly within the gaming community, due to its gaming-friendly features, robust moderation, and community tools. The platform's integration into PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles as a voice chat option has further solidified its position. Additionally, Discord offers streaming capabilities and remains free to use, with premium features available through monetization.
However, the prospect of an IPO has sparked concern among users. On Reddit's r/Discordapp, the top comment on the IPO discussion thread expressed apprehension, 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, in r/technology, users lamented, "Rip Discord, brought into the cycle of infinite growth at any cost."
These IPO rumors are not entirely surprising. In 2021, it was reported that Discord was in discussions with multiple companies, including Microsoft, about potential acquisition. However, the company ultimately chose to remain independent and pursue an IPO instead.
