Microsoft to buy Linkedin for 26.2 billion dollars

En una medida sorprendente, Microsoft anunció hoy que acordó adquirir Linkedin, la red profesional más grande del mundo, por 26.200 millones de dólares en efectivo. El acuerdo, que se espera cerrar a finales de año, reunirá a dos de los actores más influyentes de la industria tecnológica, con una base de usuarios combinada de más de 700 millones.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said the acquisition will enable both companies to accelerate their growth and innovation, as well as create new opportunities for their customers and partners. He said LinkedIn will retain its distinctive brand, culture and independence, and that its current CEO, Jeff Weiner, will report to him.

«We are joining forces with Linkedin because we believe that together we can create more value for our customers and the world,» Nadella said in a statement. «Linkedin has built a phenomenal business that connects professionals across industries and geographies. Together, we can empower every person and organization on the planet to achieve more through the power of social networking and cloud computing.»

Weiner said he is excited to join forces with Microsoft and sees tremendous potential for the future of both companies. He said LinkedIn will continue to focus on its mission of connecting professionals to make them more productive and successful, while leveraging Microsoft’s cloud, artificial intelligence and gaming technologies to create new experiences and value for its members and customers.

«This deal is a dream come true for me and the Linkedin team,» Weiner said in a statement. «We have always admired Microsoft’s vision and leadership and share a common mission to empower people and organizations. By combining our strengths and resources, we can create amazing things that will benefit our members, customers, employees and shareholders.»

The deal is the largest acquisition in Microsoft’s history, surpassing its previous record of $8.5 billion for Skype in 2011. It is also one of the largest deals in the tech industry ever made, ranking between Facebook’s $19 billion purchase of WhatsApp in 2014 and Dell’s $67 billion acquisition of EMC in 2015.

The deal has been unanimously approved by both boards of directors and is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. Microsoft said it will finance the transaction primarily through the issuance of new debt.

Microsoft and LinkedIn announced today that they have signed a definitive agreement under which Microsoft will acquire LinkedIn for $26.2 billion. This is an important milestone for both companies as they aim to leverage their complementary strengths and visions to create more value for their customers, employees and shareholders.

LinkedIn is the world’s largest and most valuable professional network, with more than 433 million members and over 105 million monthly active users. It has become the go-to platform for professionals to discover, connect and learn from each other, as well as access quality content, knowledge and opportunities.

Microsoft is the leading provider of cloud-based business and productivity applications, with more than 1.2 billion Office users and more than 70 million Dynamics customers. It is on a mission to empower every person and organization on the planet to achieve more.

By combining the power of Microsoft’s cloud and LinkedIn’s network, the two companies hope to accelerate the growth of both businesses, as well as transform the way the world works. According to a press release, LinkedIn will retain its own «distinctive brand, culture and independence» and Jeff Weiner will remain CEO of LinkedIn, reporting to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.

In a joint video statement, Nadella and Weiner shared their enthusiasm and vision for the deal. Nadella said, «The LinkedIn team has built a fantastic business focused on connecting the world’s professionals. Together we can accelerate the growth of LinkedIn, as well as Microsoft Office 365 and Dynamics as we seek to empower every person and organization on the planet.»

Weiner said, «Just as we have changed the way the world connects to opportunities, this relationship with Microsoft and the combination of their cloud and LinkedIn network now gives us the opportunity to change the way the world works as well.»

The deal is expected to close this calendar year, subject to LinkedIn shareholder approval, regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.