Discord IPO Rumors Surface

According to sources cited by The New York Times, the popular chat platform Discord is considering an initial public offering (IPO). Recent meetings between Discord's leadership and investment bankers have focused on the preparations needed for an IPO, which could take place as early as this year. Discord was last valued at around $15 billion in 2021.

A Discord spokesperson responded to the IPO rumors by stating, "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 significant traction, particularly within the gaming community, due to its user-friendly features tailored for gamers and its effective moderation and community management tools. The platform has been integrated into PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles, providing a seamless voice chat experience during gaming sessions. Additionally, Discord has expanded its offerings to include streaming capabilities. While the platform is free to use, it offers various premium features through monetized options.

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

The news of an impending IPO isn't entirely surprising. In 2021, it was reported that Discord had been 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 pursue an IPO instead.