According to a report by The New York Times, the popular chat platform Discord is reportedly exploring 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 launch as soon as this year. At its last valuation in 2021, Discord was estimated to be worth 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, particularly within the gaming community, thanks to its gaming-friendly features and robust moderation tools. The platform has been integrated into both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles, offering gamers a seamless voice chat experience. Additionally, Discord has expanded its capabilities to include streaming options. While the platform is free to use, it also offers various monetized options that provide users with enhanced customization features.
Despite its success, there are concerns among users about the potential impact of an IPO 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, a comment on r/technology lamented, "Rip Discord, brought into the cycle of infinite growth at any cost."
These IPO rumors are not entirely surprising, as there have been previous indications of Discord's interest in this direction. In 2021, it was reported that Discord was in talks with at least three companies, including Microsoft, about a potential acquisition. However, a month later, it was announced that Discord would remain independent and focus on an IPO instead.
