By Dow Jones Newswires
Groupon is in talks with Chinese Internet giant Tencent to form a partnership to accelerate its effort in the critical Asian arena, said several sources with knowledge of the situation.
Terms of the deal are unclear, but sources said that it is likely to involve some sort of co-branded joint venture effort between the two–a key strategic move for Groupon given the hard-to-penetrate-if-you’re-not-Chinese Chinese market. Get the full story »
Jan. 17 at 6:03 a.m.
Filed under:
Advertising/Marketing,
International
By Associated Press
Groupon CEO Andrew Mason in a video to Japanaese customers. (YouTube)
The chief executive of Groupon, the rapidly growing online coupon provider, apologized to Japanese customers Monday for a New Year’s deal gone wrong that highlighted the difficulties the company faces in managing its global expansion.
In a subtitled video message uploaded onto YouTube, the company’s founder and CEO Andrew Mason acknowledged that the company had “really messed up” and outlined steps it was taking to rebuild its tarnished image in Japan. Get the full story »
New York Times News Service | Groupon, the social buying site that spurned a $6 billion offer from the search giant Google, is pushing ahead with plans for its initial public offering, a debut that could value the company at $15 billion or more.
The company, which just raised a record $950 million from big investors, discussed a public offering with bankers this week, according to two people with knowledge of the deal who were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter. Banks are pitching Groupon on dizzying valuations at which they expect to take the company public, with many at $15 billion. Get the full story »
Jan. 11 at 7:27 a.m.
Filed under:
Internet,
M&A
From Tech Crunch | Fresh off its billion dollar funding round, Groupon has snapped up more international competitors: Israel’s Grouper, South Africa’s Twangoo and India’s SoSasta. All sites will take the Groupon name. Terms of the deals were not disclosed. Get the full story>>
From Crain’s Chicago Business | Social coupon giant Groupon is investing in TV advertising, including pregame spots in the Feb. 6 broadcast of Super Bowl XLV. Get the full story>>
Dec. 30, 2010 at 1:01 p.m.
Filed under:
M&A,
Technology,
Updated,
Venture capital
By Alejandra Cancino
Chicago-based Groupon Inc. has raised $500 million in equity financing of the $950 million it hopes to get.
The money came from 33 investors, Groupon said in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The company it is not disclosing their names, but DealBook reported Wednesday the start-up is negotiating financing commitments with Fidelity Investments, T. Rowe Price and Morgan Stanley. Get the full story »
Dec. 30, 2010 at 7:38 a.m.
Filed under:
Advertising/Marketing,
Internet
From the New York Times’ DealBook | Groupon, the social buying site that rejected a $6 billion takeover bid from Google earlier this month, is negotiating as much as $950 million in financing commitments with big institutional investors, including Fidelity Investments, T. Rowe Price and Morgan Stanley, people briefed on the matter said. Groupon is preparing to go public as soon as the end of 2011, sources said. Get the full story>>
Dec. 16, 2010 at 6:15 a.m.
Filed under:
Internet
From Bloomberg News | Chicago-based Groupon Inc. is seeking funding after rejecting a takeover offer from Google Inc., said three people familiar with the matter. The daily social media coupon Web site is looking to raise several hundred million dollars, one of the people said. Groupon may use the money to hire sales staff and retain its lead over coupon-site rivals. Get the full story>>
Dec. 3, 2010 at 7:57 a.m.
Filed under:
Internet,
Litigation
From Bloomberg News | Tampa-based Ewinwin Inc., which maintains a site where businesses promote their products and set prices based on the number of customers who place orders, has filed suit again Chicago-based daily coupon site Groupon, claiming it is infringing on four of its patents. The four patents were issued in 2006, 2007, and in March and April. Get the full story>>
Dec. 1, 2010 at 10:54 a.m.
Filed under:
China,
International,
Internet,
M&A,
Updated
By Wailin Wong
Chicago-based Groupon has offices at 600 W. Chicago, pictured here on Nov. 30, 2010. (Phil Velasquez/Chicago Tribune)
Daily deal startup Groupon is on a shopping spree of its own, even amid feverish speculation that Google is on the verge of making a big offer for the Chicago company.
Groupon said late Tuesday it has bought three daily deal sites based in Asia, moving the company into Hong Kong, Singapore, the Philippines and Taiwan. Terms of the deals with uBuyiBuy, Beeconomic and Atlaspost were not disclosed. Groupon’s first foray into Asia was in August, when it acquired a Japanese rival. The company said it is now in 35 countries.
Closer to home, Groupon has acquired Ludic Labs, a Silicon Valley technology company, for an undisclosed amount. Groupon said Ludic Labs’ most well-known products are Offer Foundry, an advertising and promotional platform for local businesses, and Diddit, a Web-based community where members can browse through local activities and attractions. Ludic Labs and Groupon have both raised money from Accel Partners, a Silicon Valley venture capital firm. Get the full story »
Nov. 30, 2010 at 6:10 p.m.
Filed under:
Internet,
M&A,
Updated
By Reuters
Groupon CEO Andrew Mason with Mayor Richard Daley, Aug. 31, 2010. (Brian Cassella/ Chicago Tribune)
Google Inc. is reportedly closing in on a deal to buy online discount-coupon sensation Chciago-based Groupon for up to $6 billion in its largest-ever acquisition, signaling a willingness to use some of its huge cash hoard to buy growth.
A deal, reported by several media, would give Google an important window into a fast-growing $91 billion local advertising market.
But Google’s shares fell 4.5 percent, partly on concern it may shell out too much for a business likely to face increasing competition. Reports of the deal came as the European Union announced plans to investigate Google’s search practices. Get the full story »
Nov. 29, 2010 at 6:49 a.m.
Filed under:
Internet,
M&A,
Technology
From VatorNews.com | Technology news Web site Vatornews is reporting Google has struck a deal to buy Chicago-based social coupon company Groupon for $2.5 billion. The report, citing one anonymous source, has not been confirmed by Groupon or Google. See the report >>
