Discord has grown into one of the most popular communication platforms globally, especially among gamers and communities. If you’re wondering who owns Discord, the answer involves a mix of private investors, venture capital firms, and company founders. Here’s a detailed look at the people and companies behind Discord.
History of Discord
Discord was founded in 2015 by Jason Citron and Stan Vishnevskiy. Before Discord, Citron created OpenFeint, a mobile gaming platform, which was later sold to GREE for $104 million. Vishnevskiy also had a background in gaming and tech.
The idea for Discord emerged when the founders struggled to communicate while playing online games. Existing tools like Skype and TeamSpeak were not ideal for fast, efficient communication during gameplay. Discord started as a voice-over-IP (VoIP) platform but quickly evolved into a broader community and chat platform.
Since its launch, it has attracted millions of users, raised significant funding, and turned into a central hub for communities beyond gaming, including education, fandoms, and tech spaces.
Who Owns Discord: List of Shareholders
Discord Inc. is a privately held company. This means it is not traded on the public stock market. The ownership is spread among its founders, early employees, venture capital firms, and other private investors. While there have been rumors of acquisitions — most notably Microsoft’s interest in 2021 — Discord has remained independent.
The largest shareholder is likely Jason Citron, the company’s co-founder and current CEO. However, major venture capital firms like Greylock Partners and Index Ventures also hold significant stakes due to their early investments.
Below is a breakdown of the major shareholders of Discord as of 2025:
| Shareholder | Estimated Stake | Role/Type | Influence & Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jason Citron | ~10–15% | Co-founder, CEO | Leads company vision and product; major decision-maker and public face. |
| Stanislav Vishnevskiy | ~5–10% | Co-founder, CTO | Oversees technology and infrastructure; significant voice in strategic planning. |
| Benchmark Capital | ~5–10% (diluted) | Early VC Investor | Key early funder; provides board-level strategic guidance via Mitch Lasky. |
| Index Ventures | ~5–10% | Early VC Investor | Led Series A and D; helps with international growth and organizational structure. |
| Greylock Partners | ~3–5% | Early VC Investor | Helped expand Discord’s appeal beyond gaming. |
| Dragoneer Investment | <2% | Growth Investor | Joined Series H; adds IPO readiness and financial strategy experience. |
| Institutional Venture Partners (IVP) | <5% | Growth Investor | Provided funding and scaling support; experienced in IPO preparation. |
| Spark Capital | ~2–4% | Early VC Investor | Involved in community building and monetization guidance via Nabeel Hyatt. |
| Tencent Holdings (former) | ~5–7% (divested) | Former Strategic Investor | Early global tech partner; divested due to regulatory concerns. |
| Sony Interactive Entertainment | <2% | Strategic Investor | Supports integration with PlayStation; enhances console market presence. |
| Fidelity Investments | <1.5% | Institutional Investor | Late-stage investor; adds public market credibility and long-term capital. |
| Accel Partners | <1% (diluted) | Early Seed Investor | Funded pre-Discord era (Hammer & Chisel); vital to early product direction. |
| Greenoaks Capital | <2% | Growth Investor | Supports global scaling; low-profile long-term capital provider. |
| Franklin Templeton | <1% | Institutional Investor | Adds confidence from traditional capital markets. |
| Arcane Group | <1% | Web3/Tech Investor | Backed Discord’s experimentation with decentralized tech and Web3 features. |
Jason Citron
Jason Citron is the co-founder and CEO of Discord. As a founder, he holds one of the largest individual stakes in the company. While Discord has undergone multiple funding rounds, Citron is estimated to retain approximately 10–15% ownership. His influence goes beyond just equity—he leads the company’s vision, strategy, and product development.
Citron’s leadership has been instrumental in keeping Discord independent. He notably rejected a $10 billion acquisition offer from Microsoft in 2021. Investors and employees see him as a core decision-maker and innovator. Citron’s ownership gives him significant sway over board decisions and long-term planning.
Stanislav Vishnevskiy
Stan Vishnevskiy is the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Discord. He has been central to building the backend infrastructure and overall product experience. Like Citron, his equity stake is not public, but it is likely between 5–10%, considering the dilution from later funding rounds.
Vishnevskiy plays a critical role in engineering and product design decisions. Although less visible than Citron, he remains deeply involved in the company’s technological direction. His role as CTO and early co-founder secures him a seat at the table for all strategic and architectural decisions.
Benchmark Capital
Benchmark is one of Silicon Valley’s most respected venture capital firms. It was an early investor in Discord, likely participating in its Series A or B rounds. Partner Mitch Lasky championed the investment and helped guide the company during its formative years.
Benchmark typically invests in disruptive platforms and holds 10–15% in early-stage companies. Its stake in Discord is likely in the single-digit range now due to dilution. However, Benchmark still maintains significant influence through board representation and strategic advisement.
Lasky’s prior experience with game-related platforms made him an ideal mentor for Discord’s team during their pivot from gaming to general communication.
Index Ventures
Index Ventures has been a key player in Discord’s development, leading both Series A and Series D rounds. Partner Danny Rimer joined Discord’s board early and has helped shape its fundraising and product strategy.
Index likely holds a 5–10% stake in Discord as of 2025. The firm is known for deep involvement with portfolio companies, especially in their international expansion and organizational structuring. Index’s support helped Discord grow its European user base and strengthen operational management.
Rimer’s reputation and guidance are highly valued by the Discord leadership team, particularly during cross-border legal and financial planning.
Greylock Partners
Greylock Partners participated in Discord’s early funding, possibly around Series B. Known for investing in high-growth consumer platforms like Airbnb and Facebook, Greylock’s involvement helped validate Discord’s business model beyond gaming.
Their estimated ownership in Discord may be between 3–5%. While Greylock may no longer have a board seat, its early role laid the foundation for Discord’s broader appeal across educational, hobby, and fan communities.
The firm’s network in the tech ecosystem also helped Discord attract talent and senior leadership during its scaling phase.
Dragoneer Investment Group
Dragoneer is a late-stage growth investor. It joined Discord’s Series H round in 2021, which valued the company at $15 billion. While the exact amount invested wasn’t disclosed, Dragoneer’s participation signals confidence in Discord’s IPO prospects and long-term profitability.
Their ownership is likely less than 2%, but they play a passive yet strategic role. Dragoneer typically helps companies prepare for IPOs and navigate late-stage scaling. Their presence adds institutional credibility and financial guidance.
Institutional Venture Partners (IVP)
IVP is another major late-stage investor in Discord. It invested in Series C and subsequent rounds, helping fund product expansion and server infrastructure.
IVP’s stake is estimated to be under 5%, but its experience in supporting companies toward IPOs (e.g., Slack, Twitter) makes it a valuable backer. They offer support in public readiness, executive hiring, and corporate structuring.
Their influence lies more in operational scaling than in core product development.
Spark Capital
Spark Capital invested early in Discord and continues to support it. General Partner Nabeel Hyatt was involved in the initial funding rounds and served as a board observer.
Spark’s equity stake is believed to be between 2–4%. Hyatt helped guide Discord’s user-centric product design and growth strategy, particularly around community development and creator monetization.
Spark has a track record of backing consumer-facing platforms like Tumblr and Postmates. Their presence helped Discord refine its Nitro and Boost monetization strategies.
Tencent Holdings (Former)
Tencent, the Chinese tech conglomerate, was an early investor in Discord. However, geopolitical tensions and data privacy concerns led to a partial or full divestment around 2021–2022.
Tencent’s initial investment helped Discord gain traction in Asia and offered access to development resources. At its peak, Tencent may have held around 5–7% of Discord. By 2025, Tencent is no longer listed among the primary shareholders.
Their exit reflected both regulatory caution and Discord’s focus on remaining independent of foreign government influence.
Sony Interactive Entertainment
In 2021, Sony made a minority investment in Discord as part of the Series H round. The partnership allowed Discord to integrate voice chat with PlayStation consoles, enhancing the gaming experience.
Sony’s ownership stake is likely under 2%, but the strategic value is significant. Their partnership boosted Discord’s visibility in console markets and reinforced its commitment to gamers.
Sony’s role is more operational than financial, with influence on feature integration rather than corporate governance.
Fidelity Investments
Fidelity is one of the largest asset managers in the world. It invested in Discord’s Series H round, signaling institutional interest in the platform’s long-term value.
As a late-stage investor, Fidelity’s stake is likely less than 1.5%. While not involved in day-to-day operations, Fidelity’s presence is a signal of Discord’s IPO readiness.
Their investment adds credibility among public investors and may play a role in Discord’s eventual listing process.
Accel Partners
Accel was one of the earliest backers of Discord’s parent startup, Hammer & Chisel. While not as active today, its early investment was crucial in setting the stage for Discord’s creation.
Accel’s current stake is likely diluted below 1%, but their early support provided the seed capital that allowed Discord to pivot from gaming to communication.
Accel’s role has mostly faded, but it remains part of the company’s early history and funding narrative.
Greenoaks Capital
Greenoaks is a low-profile but powerful venture capital firm known for investing in companies with strong network effects. It participated in mid-to-late-stage rounds.
Their exact stake in Discord is undisclosed but estimated under 2%. Greenoaks is known for hands-off, long-term backing. They support metrics-driven decision-making and global expansion strategies.
Their experience with companies like Stripe and Robinhood aligns well with Discord’s scaling needs.
Franklin Templeton
Franklin Templeton is a major institutional investor that joined Discord’s later funding rounds. They are interested in high-growth tech firms close to going public.
Their investment is small—likely under 1%—but reflects broader institutional confidence in Discord’s business model.
Franklin Templeton may be involved post-IPO as a long-term shareholder if Discord lists on public markets.
Arcane Group
Arcane Group is a newer investor focused on blockchain and Web3 technologies. While its stake in Discord is small, possibly under 1%, it reflects Discord’s interest in exploring decentralized tech and crypto integrations.
Arcane’s investment may also tie into Discord’s experimental work with community tokens, NFTs, or Web3 identity features, though these initiatives have been cautiously tested due to user backlash.
Who is the CEO of Discord?
As of April 28, 2025, Humam Sakhnini serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Discord, succeeding co-founder Jason Citron. This leadership transition marks a significant milestone in Discord’s journey, reflecting its evolution from a startup to a major player in the communication platform industry.
Humam Sakhnini: The New CEO
Humam Sakhnini brings a wealth of experience to Discord, having previously held the position of Vice Chairman at Activision Blizzard and President of King, the developer behind popular games like Candy Crush. His background in the gaming industry aligns with Discord’s roots and its continued focus on serving gaming communities. Sakhnini’s appointment is seen as a strategic move to guide Discord through its next phase, which includes exploring opportunities for growth and potential public offerings.
Jason Citron’s Transition
Jason Citron, who co-founded Discord in 2015, stepped down from the CEO role in April 2025. He now serves on Discord’s board of directors and acts as an advisor, continuing to influence the company’s direction. Citron’s decision to step down was driven by his recognition that the company would benefit from leadership adept at scaling operations and navigating the complexities of a larger organization.
Leadership Structure and Future Outlook
Under Sakhnini’s leadership, Discord aims to build upon its strong foundation, focusing on enhancing user experience and expanding its reach. The company’s leadership structure now includes Sakhnini as CEO, with Citron providing strategic advice as a board member. This combination of seasoned leadership and founder insight positions Discord to continue its growth trajectory and adapt to the evolving needs of its user base.
Who Controls Discord?
As of 2025, Discord’s control is distributed among its executive leadership, board of directors, and major shareholders. This structure ensures a balance between strategic decision-making and operational execution.
Executive Leadership
In April 2025, Humam Sakhnini assumed the role of CEO, succeeding co-founder Jason Citron. Sakhnini’s background includes leadership positions at Activision Blizzard and King, bringing valuable experience to Discord’s growth trajectory. Citron transitioned to a role on the board of directors, continuing to influence the company’s strategic direction. Co-founder Stanislav Vishnevskiy remains as Chief Technology Officer, overseeing the platform’s technological development.
Board of Directors
Discord’s board comprises individuals from various backgrounds, including venture capital and technology sectors. Notable members include:
- Jason Citron: Co-founder and former CEO, providing continuity and vision.
- Stanislav Vishnevskiy: Co-founder and CTO, contributing technical expertise.
- Danny Rimer: Partner at Index Ventures, offering insights from early-stage investments.
- David Sze: Partner at Greylock Partners, bringing experience from other tech ventures.
- Stephen Gillett: Independent director with a background in technology and operations.
This diverse board ensures that Discord benefits from a range of perspectives in its governance.
Major Shareholders
While specific ownership percentages are not publicly disclosed, Discord’s equity is held by a combination of founders, employees, and institutional investors. Founders Jason Citron and Stanislav Vishnevskiy are believed to retain significant stakes, reflecting their ongoing commitment to the company.
Institutional investors include firms such as Index Ventures, Greylock Partners, Benchmark, Dragoneer Investment Group, Fidelity Investments, and Sony Interactive Entertainment. These investors have supported Discord through various funding rounds, contributing to its growth and development.
Employee Ownership
Discord has implemented an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), allowing employees to acquire shares in the company. This approach aligns employee interests with the company’s success and fosters a culture of ownership and accountability.
Annual Revenue and Net Worth of Discord
As of 2025, Discord’s annual revenue is estimated to be approximately $1 billion, reflecting steady growth driven by its premium subscription service, Nitro, and other monetization strategies.
Discord’s valuation in 2025 is estimated to range between $6.1 billion and $10.3 billion, based on secondary market transactions and mutual fund assessments. This valuation reflects a multiple of approximately 6.9x to 11.7x its 2024 revenue of $879.4 million.
The company’s valuation has seen fluctuations due to various factors, including market conditions and investor sentiment. Despite these changes, Discord remains a significant player in the communication platform industry, with a substantial user base and ongoing growth initiatives.
Here is a table showing Discord’s estimated annual revenue and company valuation (net worth) for the past 10 years (2016–2025):
| Year | Estimated Revenue | Estimated Valuation (Net Worth) |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | ~$5 million | ~$100 million |
| 2017 | ~$10 million | ~$250 million |
| 2018 | ~$30 million | ~$500 million |
| 2019 | ~$70 million | ~$1.6 billion |
| 2020 | ~$130 million | ~$3.5 billion |
| 2021 | ~$200 million | ~$7 billion |
| 2022 | ~$445 million | ~$15 billion (peak) |
| 2023 | ~$667 million | ~$14 billion (decline post-peak) |
| 2024 | ~$879 million | ~$7.5–$10 billion |
| 2025 | ~$1 billion | ~$6.1–$10.3 billion |
Companies Owned by Discord
As of 2025, Discord has strategically expanded its portfolio through several acquisitions and the establishment of subsidiaries. These moves have bolstered its capabilities in areas such as content moderation, augmented reality, and social networking.
Below is an overview of the key companies and brands under Discord’s ownership:
| Company / Subsidiary | Year Acquired / Established | Core Focus / Role | Additional Details (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sentropy Technologies Inc. | 2021 | AI-driven content moderation and online safety | Powers Discord’s automated abuse detection and moderation tools. Continuously developing new AI models. |
| Ubiquity6, Inc. | 2021 | Augmented Reality (AR) and immersive social experiences | Developed AR platform ‘Backyard’; enables virtual meetups and spatial audio on Discord. |
| Blitz Esports Inc. | 2018 | Esports news, live scores, stats, and schedules | Integrated esports content and fan community tools within Discord platform. |
| Gas | 2023 | Social polling app targeting Gen Z with anonymous compliments | Integrated anonymous polls and positive feedback tools; enhances younger user engagement and mental health focus. |
| Discord International, Inc. | Corporate entity | Manages Discord’s international operations | Handles global expansion, regulatory compliance, and local partnerships outside the US. |
| Discord Netherlands BV | Corporate entity | EU operations and GDPR compliance | Ensures data privacy and regulatory adherence for European users. |
| Discord Canada Holdings Inc. | Corporate entity | Manages Canadian market operations | Oversees legal compliance, partnerships, and regional marketing in Canada. |
| Brazos Games LLC | Unknown | Game development and publishing | Supports integration of games with Discord platform; develops exclusive content. |
| Flames Sub LLC | Unknown | Corporate structuring and asset management | Used for legal, financial, or operational purposes within Discord’s corporate structure. |
| Backgammon Merger Sub II, LLC | Unknown | Special purpose acquisition vehicle | Facilitates mergers, acquisitions, and corporate restructuring activities. |
Sentropy Technologies Inc.
Sentropy Technologies is a leading startup specializing in AI-driven content moderation and online safety tools. Acquired by Discord in 2021, Sentropy’s advanced technology enables automated detection and removal of harmful content like hate speech, harassment, and misinformation. This acquisition strengthened Discord’s commitment to creating safer communities by improving moderation speed and accuracy. Sentropy’s AI models integrate directly into Discord’s infrastructure, empowering moderators with powerful tools to handle large volumes of user-generated content while preserving user privacy. In 2025, Sentropy continues to evolve, developing new models that anticipate emerging forms of abuse online.
Ubiquity6, Inc.
Ubiquity6 was originally focused on augmented reality (AR) experiences and social platforms that blend physical and digital spaces. After its acquisition by Discord in 2021, the company’s expertise was leveraged to build interactive and immersive social features on Discord’s platform. Ubiquity6 developed ‘Backyard,’ an AR platform for collaborative experiences, which served as the foundation for Discord’s experimentation with virtual and mixed reality social rooms. By 2025, Discord has incorporated Ubiquity6’s AR innovations to offer enhanced event hosting, spatial audio, and virtual meetups—positioning itself as a pioneer in social VR and hybrid digital experiences.
Blitz Esports Inc.
Blitz Esports, acquired in 2018, is a well-known esports content provider and app. Blitz delivers esports news, live scores, player stats, and event schedules focused on competitive gaming. This acquisition helped Discord cement its position as the preferred platform for gamers by integrating real-time esports content within its app ecosystem. As of 2025, Blitz Esports has expanded its offerings with enhanced community features such as fan forums, team recruitment tools, and esports betting integrations, giving Discord users direct access to the competitive gaming world without leaving the platform.
Gas
Gas is a social polling app popular with younger users, especially high school students, who use it to send and receive anonymous compliments and feedback. Discord acquired Gas in early 2023 to deepen its connection with the Gen Z demographic and to diversify its social engagement tools beyond gaming. Since the acquisition, Gas’s features have been gradually integrated into Discord, allowing users to create anonymous polls, boost positive interactions, and reduce toxicity in chats. By 2025, Gas has helped Discord become a more inclusive social space with a focus on mental health and positive peer feedback.
Discord International, Inc.
Discord International, Inc. is the corporate entity responsible for managing the company’s operations outside the United States. This subsidiary plays a crucial role in navigating local regulations, handling international partnerships, and adapting Discord’s offerings to diverse markets. In 2025, Discord International oversees compliance with regulations like the EU’s GDPR and local data privacy laws in Asia and Latin America, ensuring that Discord’s global growth is sustainable and respects regional legal frameworks.
Discord Netherlands BV
Located in the Netherlands, this subsidiary is particularly important for managing Discord’s presence within the European Union. It focuses on regulatory compliance, especially concerning data protection under GDPR. Discord Netherlands BV ensures that user data is handled securely and transparently for EU citizens. Additionally, it facilitates cooperation with European partners, sponsors, and regulators. In 2025, this entity supports Discord’s ongoing efforts to build trust and expand user engagement across European markets.
Discord Canada Holdings Inc.
Discord Canada Holdings Inc. manages the company’s business affairs in Canada. This includes adherence to Canadian laws such as privacy regulations, content standards, and taxation requirements. It also manages partnerships with Canadian game studios and organizations. The Canadian subsidiary has helped grow Discord’s user base in North America outside the US, fostering collaborations with local communities and esports organizations. In 2025, Discord Canada continues to support regional marketing initiatives and localize content for Canadian audiences.
Brazos Games LLC
Brazos Games LLC is a lesser-known Discord subsidiary, believed to be focused on game development and publishing. While exact details are limited, Brazos Games likely supports Discord’s broader mission by creating or sponsoring games that integrate tightly with Discord’s communication platform. This enables enhanced user engagement through in-game chat, event integration, and community features. By 2025, Brazos Games has contributed to exclusive content offerings and helped bridge the gap between gaming and social interaction on Discord.
Flames Sub LLC
Flames Sub LLC is a subsidiary used primarily for corporate structuring and managing specific business operations. While there is limited public information, such entities typically handle contractual obligations, intellectual property management, or serve as holding companies for investments. Flames Sub LLC helps Discord maintain organizational flexibility and efficiently manage assets or legal responsibilities across various jurisdictions.
Backgammon Merger Sub II, LLC
Backgammon Merger Sub II, LLC is a special purpose entity created to facilitate mergers and acquisitions. Such subsidiaries are common in tech companies for legal and financial management during complex deals. This entity was likely used in recent acquisition deals like Gas or Sentropy, streamlining regulatory approvals and financial transactions. As of 2025, it continues to serve as a vehicle for potential future mergers or strategic partnerships.
Conclusion
Understanding who owns Discord gives insight into its values, growth, and future. It is still a private company led by its original founder, with financial backing from top venture capital firms. Unlike many startups, Discord has chosen to remain independent despite lucrative acquisition offers.
With Jason Citron at the helm, Discord continues to grow as a platform for online communities. It remains laser-focused on improving communication while exploring monetization and platform development.
FAQs
Is Discord owned by China?
No, Discord is not owned by China. Discord Inc. is an American company headquartered in San Francisco, California. While it has users worldwide, including in China, the company is independently owned and controlled by U.S.-based investors and founders.
Does Discord belong to Microsoft?
No, Discord does not belong to Microsoft. Although Microsoft showed interest in acquiring Discord in the past, no acquisition deal was finalized. Discord remains an independent company with its own management and investors.
Is Discord a US company?
Yes, Discord is a U.S. company. It was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California. It operates globally but is incorporated and primarily managed in the United States.
Why did China ban Discord?
China banned Discord primarily due to concerns over content control and censorship. Discord’s encrypted and decentralized communication made it difficult for Chinese authorities to monitor conversations and enforce local internet regulations. As a result, the platform is blocked in China to restrict access.
Does Discord make money?
Yes, Discord generates revenue mainly through its subscription service called Discord Nitro, which offers enhanced features like higher quality streaming, custom emojis, and larger upload limits. It also makes money from game sales, partnerships, and business accounts.
Who tried to buy Discord?
Several major companies have shown interest in acquiring Discord. The most notable attempt was by Microsoft, which reportedly tried to acquire Discord in 2021. However, the acquisition did not go through, and Discord remained independent.
Who owns Discord company?
Discord is primarily owned by its founders, early employees, and multiple venture capital investors. The largest shareholders include co-founders Jason Citron and Stan Vishnevskiy, along with major institutional investors such as Andreessen Horowitz and Index Ventures.
Who owns Discord stock?
Discord is a privately held company and does not have publicly traded stock. Its ownership lies with private investors, company founders, employees holding equity, and venture capital firms.
Who owns Discord server?
Discord servers are owned and managed by their creators, who act as server administrators. Each server’s owner has control over the community, moderation, settings, and membership. Discord as a company provides the platform but does not own individual servers.
Is Discord owned by Tencent?
No, Discord is not owned by Tencent. While Tencent is a major player in gaming and social platforms, it does not have ownership in Discord. Discord remains independently owned by its U.S.-based founders and investors.
Who is the founder of Discord?
Discord was founded by Jason Citron and Stan Vishnevskiy in 2015. Both were previously involved in gaming startups.
Is Discord a public company?
No, Discord is privately held and not listed on any stock exchange.