's parent company Alphabet is in advanced negotiations for the second time to acquire cloud cybersecurity startup Wiz for approximately $30 billion, according to people familiar with the matter. The deal could be finalized soon if no last-minute complications arise.
The talks, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, represent Alphabet's second attempt to purchase the cybersecurity company after it rejected the offer to pursue IPO. Co-founder Assaf Rappaport said in a memo sent to Wiz employees, "Saying no to such humbling offers is tough."
This new $30 billion offer marks a significant premium over Wiz's most recent valuation of $12 billion from a funding round in May 2024. If completed, the acquisition would become one of the largest deals of 2025 and significantly bolster Google Cloud's cybersecurity capabilities. Thomas Kurian, head of Google's cloud division, is reportedly leading the acquisition effort.
Wiz provides AI-powered cloud security solutions that help identify and address critical vulnerabilities across multiple cloud platforms. The company works with all major cloud providers including Microsoft and Amazon alongside Google.
Founded in 2020 by former Israeli military officers, Wiz has rapidly expanded to approximately 900 employees across the United States, Europe, Asia, and Israel.
Despite previously indicating plans to pursue an initial public offering, Wiz appears to have reconsidered amid renewed acquisition interest. The company had hired former DreamWorks executive Fazal Merchant as chief financial officer, often a preparatory step for going public.
Industry observers note that increased M&A activity may be partly attributed to expectations that the Trump administration will be less restrictive on large transactions than its predecessor.
Neither Alphabet nor Wiz have officially commented on the negotiations.
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