Discord Plots IPO Journey, Gamers Hold Their Controllers Tight

Discord, the chatty heart of gaming culture, is plotting its Wall Street debut. The company has huddled with investment bankers to explore an IPO later this year.

The timing raises eyebrows. While market turbulence has scared off many tech companies from going public, Discord sees an opportunity. The platform boasts 200 million monthly users, with 93% logging in to discuss their latest gaming victories and defeats.

Discord's journey started with two tech workers who just wanted to chat while gaming. Their solution snowballed into a $15 billion company that shrugged off Microsoft's $10 billion acquisition offer in 2021.

The platform makes money through subscriptions for premium features like fancy emojis and crystal-clear voice chat. It's now branching out beyond gaming, welcoming influencers and musicians into its digital corridors. In 2023, Discord opened a virtual shop where users can jazz up their profiles with custom graphics.

Why this matters:

• Discord's IPO could break the tech industry's public offering drought, proving that even in shaky markets, strong community platforms can level up
• The move signals gaming culture's transformation from basement hobby to mainstream powerhouse, with Discord leading the charge while keeping its signature irreverence intact

Read on, my dear:

• New York Times: Discord in Early Talks With Bankers for Potential I.P.O.