Microsoft Buys LinkedIn for $35 Billion

To bring capabilities into Office productivity suite.

Microsoft will buy LinkedIn for US$26.2 billion ($35 billion) in cash in a deal the business networking site’s co-founder Reid Hoffman described as a “re-founding moment” for the company.

The massive acquisition, which is expected to close this calendar year, will see Jeff Weiner remain as LinkedIn CEO but report to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.

Both companies expect to grow LinkedIn in part by tying it closely to the Office 365 productivity suite and Dynamics CRM/ERP suite.

“Think about it: How people find jobs, build skills, sell, market and get work done and ultimately find success requires a connected professional world,” Nadella said in a letter to Microsoft employees.

“It requires a vibrant network that brings together a professional’s information in LinkedIn’s public network with the information in Office 365 and Dynamics.

“This combination will make it possible for new experiences such as a LinkedIn newsfeed that serves up articles based on the project you are working on and Office suggesting an expert to connect with via LinkedIn to help with a task you’re trying to complete.

“As these experiences get more intelligent and delightful, the LinkedIn and Office 365 engagement will grow. And in turn, new opportunities will be created for monetisation through individual and organisation subscriptions and targeted advertising."

LinkedIn will retain some autonomy in deciding what it does and does not integrate with in the Microsoft stack. LinkedIn will also keep its existing brand.

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