Discord: From Gaming Chat to Global Hub and Potential 2024 IPO

Discord, originally founded with the mission to enhance communication among gamers around the world, has evolved into a global community hub where millions find a sense of belonging. It’s not just about gaming anymore; Discord has become a space for friends, communities, and groups from diverse interests to connect. This transformation reflects the founders’ vision of creating a platform that fosters genuine relationships and a sense of community, regardless of geographical boundaries. As the last few years have stirred up frequent rumors of Discord preparing for its IPO, 2024 might be the year. So, let’s prepare by taking a closer look at the ins and outs of the company.

• Origin and expansion: Founded by Jason Citron and Stan Vishnevskiy, Discord quickly evolved from a gaming-focused chat app to a global community platform.

• Becoming a community: The platform’s shift to a broader digital community hub was accelerated by the pandemic, showcasing its adaptability to various user needs beyond gaming.

• User engagement: With over 150 million active monthly users highlights Discord’s impact on digital communication and online communities.

• Discord IPO outlook: Discord’s anticipated 2024 IPO presents an opportunity for investors to take part in its potential future growth.

Discord was born out of a common problem faced by its founders, Jason Citron and Stan Vishnevskiy: the challenge of communicating with friends across the globe while playing online games. From a young age, both founders shared a passion for video games and valued the friendships and connections forged through gaming. However, the existing communication tools were cumbersome, unreliable, and complicated. Recognizing the need for a better solution, Citron and Vishnevskiy embarked on building Discord in 2015, aiming to facilitate seamless communication, create memorable moments, and recreate the camaraderie felt among gamers.

The platform quickly gained traction, resonating with users worldwide. Discord made it effortless for friends to stay in touch more meaningfully than through mere small talk. Users could easily join conversations, switch between text, voice, and video chats, and immerse themselves in their communities. Despite its sophisticated technology, Discord’s goal was simple: to be a welcoming and comfortable home for communities and friends to gather.

Today, Discord transcends its gaming roots. The platform has evolved to support a multitude of non-gaming activities, attracting millions seeking a digital space for various forms of social interaction and collaboration daily. This shift was partly accelerated by the pandemic, as people worldwide sought virtual platforms for connection and community engagement. Discord has capitalized on this demand by enhancing its features to support a wide range of community needs, from casual chats to structured events​​.

Discord prides itself on being original, reliable, playful, and easy to connect with. These values resonate not just with its users but also within the team behind the platform. With 150 million active users monthly, 19 million active servers weekly, and 4 billion minutes of server conversation daily, Discord’s impact is undeniable. It’s a space where anyone can belong, whether it’s in a school club, gaming group, or global art community.

The business model of Discord diverges from the regular ad-based revenue streams we often see on social platforms. Instead, it generates income through a freemium model, offering the core features for free, while users who pay up for one of its two Nitro plans gain access to more and better features.

The two different plans are Nitro and Nitro Basic. The Basic plan currently sets you back €2.99 per month and the regular one €9.99, giving you perks such as increased upload sizes, ability to send longer messages, and better video resolutions for streams, among other things. Then there’s also the Discord Shop, where users can buy unique color themes, avatar decorations, and profile effects.

Amidst its exponential growth and expanding user base, Discord is rumored to be considering an IPO in 2024. This move could mark a significant milestone in the company’s journey, potentially opening new avenues for growth and innovation, as well as providing an opportunity for investors to take part in it.

As Discord continues to evolve, it remains dedicated to its mission of enabling people to find belonging and build genuine relationships, whether locally or globally. The anticipated IPO could further strengthen its position as a leading platform for communication and community building, ensuring its place in the hearts of millions of users for years to come.