Chat platform Discord is reportedly considering an initial public offering (IPO), as revealed by sources to The New York Times. Recent discussions with investment bankers suggest that Discord could go public as early as this year. The company was valued at approximately $15 billion during its last assessment in 2021.
In response to inquiries from The New York Times, a Discord spokesperson stated, “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, thanks 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 and has recently added streaming capabilities. While Discord is free to use, it offers various monetized options that enhance user customization.
However, the prospect of an IPO has sparked concerns among users about the platform's future. On the r/Discordapp subreddit, the top comment on the IPO discussion expresses worry that public offerings often lead to a decline in company quality, 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 news of an impending IPO isn't entirely surprising. In 2021, Discord was in discussions with at least three companies, including Microsoft, about a potential acquisition. However, the company later decided to remain independent and pursue an IPO instead.
