Microsoft Corp. in advanced conversations to Discord Inc. messaging platform. for $ 10 billion or more, according to people familiar with the matter, as the software giant tries to deepen what it offers its users.
Microsoft and Discord are in separate talks and could end a deal next month, assuming the talks don’t fall apart, the people said.
Originally preferred by gamers, San Francisco-based Discord offers voice, text and video chat. The popularity of the platform has skyrocketed since the pandemic took hold of how people stay at home and connect online – as do other chat services, such as WhatsApp on Facebook Inc. and Signal Messenger LLC. Discord has been considering an IPO.
Microsoft, which has a market value of more than $ 1.7 trillion, has been looking for a purchase that would help it reach more customers. Last summer, they held talks to buy the TikTok video-sharing app amid a high-profile geopolitical standoff inspired by the Trump administration, before abandoning the effort.
VentureBeat reported this week that Discord was investigating sales and has entered into specific conversations with an anonymous person.