No one counted on this. Microsoft has announced that it has agreed to acquire professional social network, LinkedIn. Transaction values are around 26,2 billion (an extremely complicated number to write in Kwanzas who can get it, please write in the comments.)
Microsoft thus has a definitive agreement to buy LinkedIn, with a value that exceeds the more than 4 billion dollars spent on Facebook with the acquisition of WhatsApp almost 2 years ago.
And what will LinkedIn's future look like?
Even with the purchase, the social network will maintain its brand and independence.
According to information released, the LinkedIn CEO, Jeff Weiner, will continue in office, reporting to the chief of Microsoft, Satya Nadella. It is consensual within the LinkedIn team, the transaction is good: both the chief executive and the chairman of the board, co-founder and majority shareholder of the social network, Reid Hoffman, fully support the transaction, which has its conclusion scheduled for the end of 2016.
From now on, the network will be incorporated into Redmond's corporate solutions and will gain new functionality, such as integration with other company products and services.
There were already a lot of rumors about Microsoft's interest in LinkedIn. The social network dedicated to connect professionals around the world is much more used in corporate environments since it is quite useful when hiring professionals and do a professional background check.
LinkedIn numbers
The social network's numbers are impressive: 433 million users worldwide, 7 million active job listings and 60% of mobile access. Microsoft will know how to use this, since the focus has shifted to services and not so much to “Hardware + Software”.
See what CEOs of both companies think
… I have always had a great admiration for LinkedIn and what is most needed these days and also being someone who believes in productivity and communication tools because I believe this is what allows people to be creative in their work, and connecting that my professional network will allow people to be more successful in their current jobs and have access to better jobs that is my vision…
Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft
Now it remains to be seen how much Microsoft will have a return on investment, as $ 26 billion is an astronomical value.
