Who Owns Discord?

Discord has become an essential platform for communication and community building. Understanding who owns Discord can shed light on its growth, investments, and future direction. Dive in to learn more about the key stakeholders behind this popular communication tool.

In a Nutshell

• Discord’s Origins: Founded by Jason Citron and Stan Vishnevskiy.
• Ownership: Primarily owned by founders, employees, and various investors.
• Key Investors: Major investments from Benchmark, Greylock Partners, and Tencent.
• Financial Growth: Valued at $15 billion during last known funding round.
• Future Prospects: Potential public offering anticipated in coming years.

Table of Contents

• What is Discord?
• Founders and Their Vision
• Investment Rounds and Key Stakeholders
• The Role of Tencent and Other Big Players
• Future Prospects of Discord
• FAQs

What is Discord?

Discord is a free voice, video, and text chat app that’s used by tens of millions of people ages 13+ to talk and hang out with their communities and friends. Primarily popular among gamers, Discord has broadened its scope to include various communities ranging from education to business.

• Features:
  • Voice, video, and text communication
  • Community servers
  • Integration with other social media and gaming platforms

For more in-depth insights, explore What is Discord.

Founders and Their Vision

Discord was founded by Jason Citron and Stan Vishnevskiy. Their initial aim was to create an easily accessible platform that prioritized clear communication for gaming communities.

• Jason Citron:
  • Prior venture: OpenFeint, a mobile social gaming network.
  • Sold OpenFeint for $104 million before starting Discord.
• Stan Vishnevskiy:
  • Background in developing gaming software.
  • Shared vision of creating a seamless communication experience.

Read more on who they are and their goals for the platform at Who Owns.

Investment Rounds and Key Stakeholders

Discord has raised approximately $995 million through multiple investment rounds. This funding has pushed Discord to a valuation of over $15 billion.

• Key Investors:
  • Benchmark, a leading technology venture capital firm.
  • Greylock Partners, known for investing in transformative tech companies.
  • Tencent, a Chinese multinational conglomerate and the world’s largest gaming company.

For further details, visit Who Owns Discord.

The Role of Tencent and Other Big Players

Tencent holds a significant stake in Discord. Their involvement provides strategic benefits, especially in the Asian market where Tencent has immense influence.

• Influences:
  • Access to a broader Asian user base.
  • Potential for integrations with Tencent’s vast gaming ecosystem.
• Concerns:
  • User privacy and data handling due to Tencent’s partial ownership.

Future Prospects of Discord

As Discord continues to grow, a public offering seems likely in the near future. This would open opportunities for additional investments and expansion of features.

• IPO Speculations:
  • Enhanced transparency and resources.
  • Challenges from increased regulatory scrutiny.
• Projected Developments:
  • Expansion beyond gaming.
  • Introduction of premium features for business users.

FAQs

1. Who currently owns Discord?
   • Discord is owned by its founders, employees, and a consortium of investors, including Benchmark and Tencent.
2. Is Discord planning to go public?
   • While no official date has been announced, industry experts anticipate a potential IPO in the coming years.
3. What is Discord’s current valuation?
   • As of the last funding round, Discord’s valuation was pegged at $15 billion.
4. Is Tencent the majority owner of Discord?
   • No, Tencent holds a significant but minority stake in Discord among several other investors.
5. How does Discord generate revenue?
   • Through its Nitro subscription service, which offers enhanced features and server customization.
6. Why is Discord popular among gamers?
   • Its simple interface, reliable voice communication, and ease of community building make it ideal for gamers.
7. What other communities are active on Discord?
   • From educational groups to workplace teams, Discord is used by a wide variety of communities for its versatile communication tools.

For additional information on ownership structures, visit Who Owns.

External resources for further reading:

1. TechCrunch: Discord’s Funding and Valuation

2. CNBC: Discord’s Business Model Explained

3. The Verge: Understanding Discord’s Success