Facebook's Acquisition Strategy: A Comprehensive Look at Recent Merger and Acquisitions

Facebook, the global leader in social networking, has a long and active history of acquiring smaller tech companies. Over the last few years, Facebook has continued its trend of strategic acquisitions. This article explores the acquisitions made by Facebook in the past three years, providing insights into the company's strategy and its impact on the tech industry.

Recent Acquisitions by Facebook (2017-2018)

Historically, Facebook has been a prolific acquirer, having made over 66 acquisitions since 2009. As of January 2018, the company has acquired 3 companies in the last three years. These acquisitions include:

2017: Ozlo and tbh 2018: A single, undisclosed company

These acquisitions were part of Facebook's continuous effort to integrate new technologies and platforms with its existing ecosystem, ensuring it remains at the forefront of social networking and technological innovation.

A Deep Dive into Facebook's Merger and Acquisition Timeline

Here is a detailed timeline of Facebook's major acquisitions over the years, highlighting those with significant financial implications:

2009-2010

FriendFeed Inc. (Not Made Public) Chai Labs Inc. (10 million) Walletin Inc. (Not Made Public) (Not Made Public) Hot Potato (Not Made Public) (Not Made Public) Divvyshot Inc. (Not Made Public) Octazen Solutions (Not Made Public) Snaptu Ltd. (70 million) Gowalla Inc. (Not Made Public) WhoGlue LLC (Not Made Public) Mailrank (Not Made Public) Strobe Inc. (Not Made Public) Digital Staircase Inc. (Not Made Public) Somo Enterprises Inc. (Not Made Public) Push Pop Press Inc. (Not Made Public) Sofa Payments B.V. (Not Made Public) Daytum Inc. (Not Made Public) Recre Image Conversion (Not Made Public) Beluga Inc. (Not Made Public) rel8tion LLC (Not Made Public)

2012

AOL Inc. Patents and License, Retained Patent Portfolio (1 billion) Instagram Inc. (1 billion) Watch Movies Instantly Online (60 million) Threadsy Inc. (Not Made Public) Acrylic Software (Not Made Public) Bolt Peters Inc. (Not Made Public) Karma Science Inc. (Not Made Public) Glancee Inc. (Not Made Public) Tagtile (Not Made Public) Caffeinated Mind Inc. (Not Made Public)

2013

Onavo Mobile Ltd. (150 million) Zoom Video Communications Inc. (7 million) SportStream Inc. (Not Made Public) Mobile Technologies LLC (Not Made Public) Monoidics Limited (Not Made Public) Parse LLC (Not Made Public) osmeta Inc. (Not Made Public) Hot Studio Inc. (Not Made Public) Mixtent Inc. (Not Made Public) Atlas Solutions LLC (Not Made Public)

Impact and Strategy

These acquisitions have significantly impacted Facebook's strategic direction and technology landscape. For instance, the acquisition of Instagram in 2012 helped Facebook expand its user base and enhancing the photos and videos functionality on its platform. Similarly, the acquisition of Parse in 2013 streamlined Facebook's backend services for developers, making it easier for them to integrate their applications with Facebook.

Facebook's acquisition strategy is not just about buying companies but also about talent and technology. These acquisitions often bring in new features, innovative technologies, and a diverse skill set that can help Facebook stay ahead in the rapidly changing tech landscape.

Conclusion

Facebook's continuous acquisition strategy demonstrates its commitment to innovation and its readiness to adapt to new technology trends. As the tech industry evolves, Facebook's acquisition list is likely to continue growing, ensuring it maintains its position as a leader in social networking and digital media.