Discord, the San Francisco-based chat app with over 200 million monthly users, is in early stage talks to go public, according to a report by The New York Times. The company has been in discussions with investment bankers, although plans are still exploratory and could change, sources close to the matter revealed.

Discord's spokesperson declined to comment on the rumors, stating that the company does not comment on speculation about its future plans. This is not the first time the startup has considered an initial public offering (IPO). In 2021, Discord walked away from a $10 billion acquisition offer from Microsoft, opting to stay independent and potentially go public.

The company was last valued at $14.7 billion in a 2021 fundraise, where it secured $500 million in funding. Discord's popularity extends beyond its core gaming community, with the platform emerging as an unlikely hub for the AI boom. Image generation companies like Midjourney have set up shop on Discord's servers, further expanding its user base.

Discord's potential IPO would be a significant milestone for the company, which has become an essential tool for various communities, including gamers, crypto enthusiasts, and AI innovators. The move would also provide a new avenue for investors to tap into the growing chat app market.

The news comes as the tech industry continues to navigate the complexities of going public. With Discord's user base and valuation, the company is well-positioned to make a significant impact on the market. As the company moves forward with its IPO plans, it will be interesting to see how it fares in the public market and what implications this may have for its users and the broader tech industry.

In the meantime, Discord's users will likely continue to use the platform as usual, unaware of the potential changes on the horizon. However, as the company moves closer to an IPO, it will be important for users to stay informed about any potential changes to the platform's terms of service or user data policies.

As the story continues to unfold, one thing is clear: Discord's potential IPO is a significant development in the tech industry, and its implications will be felt far beyond the company's San Francisco headquarters.