Israeli cybersecurity startup Wiz ends talks with Google on $23 billion deal
Wiz has ended talks with Google parent Alphabet on a proposed $23 billion deal in which the Israeli cybersecurity startup would have become the US tech giant’s largest ever acquisition, according to a Wiz memo seen by Reuters.
Wiz CEO Assaf Rappaport said the company would now focus on an initial public offering, as it had planned earlier.
“Saying no to such humbling offers is tough, but with our exceptional team, I feel confident in making that choice,” Rappaport said in the memo, referring to an acquisition offer.
Neither Alphabet (GOOGL) nor Wiz have officially acknowledged deal talks. The Wiz memo did not name Google or Alphabet.
Google did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment, while Wiz declined to comment.
CNN reported earlier this month that Alphabet was in advanced talks to buy Wiz for roughly $23 billion, citing a person familiar with the matter.
Discussions between Google and Wiz began after the startup raised $1 billion from venture capital investors earlier this year, the source said. That funding round had valued Wiz at $12 billion.
Wiz provides cloud-based cybersecurity solutions that help companies identify and remove critical risks on cloud platforms.
Wiz’s decision to call off the deal will be a setback for Google, which has been investing in its cloud infrastructure and focusing on winning clients for the cloud business that generated more than $33 billion in revenues last year.
It is the second recentblow for Alphabet in itsM&A efforts, after it reportedly decided walk away from a deal for online marketing software company HubSpot.
In March 2022, Alphabet bought cybersecurity firm Mandiant for $5.4 billion as part of its push to help companies better address cyber threats and bolster its cloud computing business.
Wiz's decision to pursue an initial public offering (IPO) in light of the Google acquisition talks demonstrates their confidence in the potential of their business in the tech sector. With their focus on tech advancements and strong financial backing, Wiz continues to innovate in the field of cloud-based cybersecurity, serving numerous businesses around the world.
