Discord has rapidly gained popularity for communicating with others worldwide. It has now become the first choice of many users due to its user-friendly interface and robust features. However, when it comes to ownership, understanding who owns Discord can be a bit complex.
Who Owns Discord?
In this article, we will explore the ownership structure of Discord and shed light on the various stakeholders involved:
Discord Origin
Discord, originally launched in 2015, has grown to become one of the most famous platforms for communities, gamers, and other individuals. With millions of users worldwide, Discord provides a versatile space for people to create their own servers and engage in text, voice, and video conversations. Now, let’s discuss the ownership details of this widely used platform in the next section.
Discord’s Ownership Journey
Discord’s ownership journey involves a series of notable investors and individuals who have contributed to its growth and development. Over the years, several funding rounds and strategic investments have occurred for Discord ownership.
Jason Citron and Stanislav Vishnevsky: The CEO and Co-Founder of Discord
Jason Citron and Stanislav Vishnevsky, two entrepreneurs with a passion for gaming and technology, are the CEO and co-founder of Discord. They played an important role in the creation and development of the platform. With their visionary approach, they recognized the need for a communication tool for gamers and communities, leading to the creation of the Discord application.
Major Investors in Discord
Discord has attracted investments from prominent venture capital firms and technology companies, to enhance its growth and market presence. Some of the major investors in Discord include:
- Greenoaks Capital: Greenoaks Capital led one of the funding rounds for Discord.
- Firstmark: Firstmark, a venture capital firm, participated in one of the funding rounds for Discord.
- Tencent: Tencent, a technology conglomerate, also joined the round led by Greenoaks Capital.
- IVP (Institutional Venture Partners): IVP, a leading venture capital firm, participated in one of Discord’s funding rounds.
- Index Ventures: Index Ventures, a global venture capital firm, also contributed to one of Discord’s funding rounds.
- Technology Opportunity Partners: Technology Opportunity Partners participated in one of Discord’s funding rounds.
Sony’s Investment in Discord
In May 2021, Sony made a strategic move by acquiring a minority stake in Discord. Due to this collaboration, a strong bond has been established between these two. Sony was planning to get a full acquisition of the Discord platform but didn’t succeed in that.
Acquisition Talks: Microsoft’s Interest
In March 2022, there were reports about Microsoft’s interest in acquiring Discord. However, it’s important to note that these were talks and negotiations, and no official acquisition took place at that time. Discord has remained an independent entity, providing its services to users across the globe.
Discord’s User Base
As of the year 2023, Discord had an estimated 390 million users and 190 million monthly active users. This substantial number highlights the platform’s widespread popularity and influence.
Discord Server Popularity
Discord hosts over 19 million active servers per week, showcasing the platform’s robust ecosystem of communities and their engagement.
Discord User Demographics
The majority of Discord users fall within the 25 to 34 age range, making up 42 percent of the global user base. However, users between the ages of 16 and 24 are also prominent, comprising 22.2 percent of Discord’s users worldwide.
Conclusion
Discord, the communication platform used by millions of people worldwide, has witnessed a diverse ownership journey. Jason Citron and Stanislav Vishnevsky, the CEO and co-founder of Discord, have played a crucial role in shaping the platform’s success. Alongside them, various investors, including Greenoaks Capital, Firstmark, Tencent, IVP, Index Ventures, and Technology Opportunity Partners, have contributed to Discord’s growth and development.
