Wattpad to be sold to South Korean internet giant for US$600 million
Tuesday, January 19, 2021
One of Canada's most prominent technology darlings is being sold to a South Korean internet conglomerate in a US$600-million deal.
Toronto-based online storytelling company Wattpad Corp. said its board of directors unanimously approved a cash and stock transaction Tuesday that will see it acquired by Naver later this year. The company will retain its Canadian headquarters.
"This is the most important day in the history of the company and an incredible milestone," said Allen Lau, one of Wattpad's co-founders, in an interview.
"It is the beginning of a new chapter and using TV show terminology, this is episode one of season two, so I'm absolutely looking forward to this."
Lau and Ivan Yuen, who will continue to lead Wattpad following the sale, started the self-publishing platform after the pair dreamed up the idea on a napkin while waiting for a flight at the Vancouver airport food court in 2006.
One of Canada's most prominent technology darlings is being sold to a South Korean internet conglomerate in a US$600-million deal.
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