Discord IPO Exploration Underway

According to a report by The New York Times, Discord, the popular chat platform favored by the gaming community, is exploring the possibility of 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 could potentially occur as early as this year. The company was last valued at around $15 billion 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 among gamers, due to its gaming-friendly features and robust moderation tools. The platform has been integrated into PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles, offering a seamless voice chat experience during gameplay, and has recently added streaming options. Despite being free to use, Discord offers various monetized features that enhance user customization.

However, the prospect of an IPO has sparked concern among users. On the r/Discordapp subreddit, the most up-voted comment reflects a common sentiment: "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, on r/technology, users lamented, "Rip Discord, brought into the cycle of infinite growth at any cost."

These developments are not entirely unexpected. In 2021, it was reported that 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.