According to a report by The New York Times, Discord, the popular chat platform, is reportedly considering an initial public offering (IPO). Sources indicate that Discord's leadership has been engaging with investment bankers over the past few weeks to prepare for a potential IPO, which could occur as early as this year. The company was valued at around $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 tools. The platform has been integrated into PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles as a convenient voice chat option for gamers and has recently added streaming capabilities. While Discord is free to use, it offers various monetized options that provide users with additional customizable features.
However, the prospect of an IPO has sparked concern among users. On the r/Discordapp subreddit, the most up-voted comment expresses 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, a comment on r/technology laments, "Rip Discord, brought into the cycle of infinite growth at any cost."
The news of a potential IPO isn't entirely surprising. In 2021, it was reported that Discord was in discussions with at least three companies, including Microsoft, about a possible acquisition. However, a month later, it was revealed that Discord chose to remain independent and pursue an IPO instead.
