Discord Is Reportedly Exploring an IPO

Discord, the popular chat platform favored by gamers and beyond, is reportedly considering an initial public offering (IPO), according to sources cited by The New York Times. Recent meetings between Discord leadership and investment bankers suggest preparations are underway for a potential IPO as early as this year. Discord's last valuation, in 2021, placed its worth at approximately $15 billion.

In response to the reports, a Discord spokesperson offered a standard non-committal statement: “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's rise to prominence is largely attributed to its user-friendly features, robust moderation tools, and strong community focus—all particularly appealing to the gaming community. Integration with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles as a convenient voice chat option, along with recent additions like streaming capabilities, further solidified its position. Crucially, Discord remains free to use, offering optional paid features for enhanced customization.

However, news of a potential IPO has sparked considerable user concern on platforms like Reddit. Comments on r/Discordapp express apprehension that an IPO could negatively impact Discord's functionality, with one highly upvoted post 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?" Similar sentiments of skepticism are echoed on r/technology, with posts lamenting the potential for "infinite growth at any cost" to compromise the platform.

These IPO reports aren't entirely unexpected. In 2021, Discord was reportedly in acquisition talks with at least three companies, including Microsoft. A month later, however, reports surfaced indicating the company's decision to pursue an IPO instead of a sale, maintaining its independence.