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A comment on OpenAI reaches agreement to buy Windsurf for around $3B. Parent comment

Re:OpenAI reaches agreement to buy Windsurf for around $3B by pc86 on Wednesday May 07, 2025 @10:01AM (#43915827)
That's a really interesting thought, I'd love to get involved in software PE/M&A on the technical analysis side but I don't have the academic pedigree for it (it seems every shop that does this work is 90% Ivy and Ivy-adjacent universities and FAANG-level work history).

So if I'm understanding your point then part of the value in paying $3B for Windsurf is that it acts as a pricing anchor on future raises (and presumably acquisitions as well) for competing products? So Cursor is less likely to raise at a $30B valuation if Windsurf is 95% as good and just sold for 1/10 that.

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Re:OpenAI reaches agreement to buy Windsurf for around $3B by whatshisface on Wednesday May 07, 2025 @02:01PM (#43918801)
The insanity of it all is that these companies are worth about $3M.
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Re:OpenAI reaches agreement to buy Windsurf for around $3B by dayjah on Wednesday May 07, 2025 @11:33PM (#43922841)
You have superbly summarized the point I was trying to make regarding valuations.

Regarding your other point about pedigree: I’ve a high school level education. I was considered senior at this specific co. as I had played an important role in building the product (I’m a “classic case” of self taught generalist). I’m not at all clear on how I was selected to take part in that effort to be frank. It was fun.

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