Discord IPO: Company Explores Going Public

Recent reports from The New York Times suggest that the chat platform Discord is gearing up for an initial public offering (IPO). Sources indicate that Discord's leadership has been engaging with investment bankers to lay the groundwork for an IPO that might occur as early 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, especially within the gaming community, due to its gaming-centric features and robust moderation and community management tools. The platform has been integrated into PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles, offering seamless voice chat options during gaming sessions, and has recently added streaming capabilities. Discord remains free to use, though it offers various monetized options that unlock additional customizable features.

However, the prospect of an IPO has sparked concerns among users about the long-term impact on Discord's functionality. On the r/Discordapp subreddit, the most up-voted comment expresses skepticism, 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 lament, "Rip Discord, brought into the cycle of infinite growth at any cost."

The potential IPO isn't entirely surprising, as Discord has been considered for such a move for some time. In 2021, it was reported that Discord was in discussions with at least three companies interested in acquiring it, including Microsoft. However, a month later, it was announced that Discord would remain independent and focus on pursuing an IPO.