Microsoft had invested billions of dollars in Facebook and Yammer as their key process to enhance the social networking presence of the company. In the same lane, it is all set to invest $26.2 billion in order to acquire LinkedIn. Microsoft declares that LinkedIn would retain its own independence and brand along with the existing CEO Jeff Weiner who would be reporting directly to Satya Nadella, CEO of MicroSoft in future.
LinkedIn stands as the world’s most valuable professional network building a strong business. The Linkedin reportedly has the better business sights and an increased member engagement with the recruiter product and acquisition of Lynda.com.
Microsoft is the popular productivity company for the cloud-first, mobile-first, world with a mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet for better achievement.
The stats reveal that there is 19 percent growth with 433 million members, 9 percent growth with 105 million unique visitors per month, 49 percent growth with 60 percent mobile users, 34 percent growth with 45 billion member page views, and 101 percent growth with more than 7 million job listings. Further, Satya Nadella anticipates that the growth of LinkedIn, Microsoft Office 365, and Dynamics could be accelerated together.
The deal to acquire the social networking giant is going to be an all-cash transaction with $196 value for each share. The unanimously approved transaction is expected to close the current calendar year subject to LinkedIn shareholders approval, regulatory approvals, and other related customary closing conditions.
Morgan Stanley and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP are the financial advisors and the legal advisor respectively for the Microsoft; Qatalyst Partners and Allen & Company LLC, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati are the financial advisors and legal advisor for LinkedIn.
Reid Hoffman, the co-founder, chairman and controlling shareholder of LinkedIn shared that it is a re-finding moment for LinkedIn with an incredible opportunity to its members and customers for the new and combined business.
