LinkedIn (NYSE:LNKD), the online professional network, has agreed to acquire San Francisco, Calif.-based SlideShare, the professional content sharing community.
The transaction is valued at approximately $118.75m, subject to adjustment, in a combination of approximately 45% cash and approximately 55 % stock. The acquisition, which is subject to the completion of customary conditions, is expected to close during the second quarter of 2012.
Founded in October 2006, led by CEO Rashmi Sinha and backed by Jonathan Abrams, Mark Cuban, Dave McClure, and Venrock, SlideShare allows professionals to discover people through content, and content through people, also enabling the sharing of presentations across the Web.
In March it had nearly 29m unique visitors.
Commenting on the acquisition, LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner said: “Presentations are one of the main ways in which professionals capture and share their experiences and knowledge, which in turn helps shape their professional identity.
“These presentations also enable professionals to discover new connections and gain the insights they need to become more productive and successful in their careers, aligning perfectly with LinkedIn’s mission and helping us deliver even more value for our members”.
FinSMEs
04/05/2012
Useful Links
– Deep Nishar, LinkedIn’s Senior Vice President of Product and User Experience, blogged about the acquisition (read here),
– SlideShare presentation of the deal (read here)