Microsoft Buys Skype for $8.5 Billion in Cash
It has now been confirmed that Microsoft have acquired Skype for $8.5 billion in cash. Microsoft and Skype are yet to confirm the deal themselves, but a press conference is expected later today.
This is a great result for all investors in Skype who were starting to get a little nervous about their anticipated IPO later this year.
Who were the big winners in this deal:
- If the price is $8.5 billion. eBay received around $2.55 billion for 30%. Great result!
- Founders – Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis made about $1.19 billion for their 14% stake.
- Silver Lake, Andreessen Horowitz and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) own 56 percent of the company and that stake is worth $4.76 billion.
It will now be very interesting to see what Microsoft can do with Skype. There is already a lot of talk about Skype on Kinect and we will post a little something about that within the next hour.
Why did Microsoft buy Skype:
- Great enterprise tool that uses Skype voice call, video calling and sharing options
- Relationship with carrier who are looking to partner with Skype
- Mainly for Windows Phone 7. Skype will offer Microsoft a competitor to Google Voice and Apple Facetime
6 Comments
If it happens then I think it is great deal because Microsoft is the top IT company so it gives more facilities to Skype user also try to become more user friendly.
>>Mainly for Windows Phone 7. Skype will offer Microsoft a competitor to >>Google Voice and Apple Facetime
MS did not have to BUY Skype to make that happen. Besides, Skype itself already works on Android and Apple OS.
No there’s gotta be something more behind this.
I love Skype. Hopefully MS will make it even better.
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