Pavel Durov, the brains behind Telegram, is now setting his sights on an IPO as the platform's user numbers soar to 900 million.

Popular messaging app Telegram Telegram has celebrated a remarkable achievement of 900 million users and is reportedly nearing profitability, according to its founder. Pavel Durov During an interview with the Financial Times, Durov disclosed that the platform has managed to generate significant revenue through advertising and premium subscriptions over the last few years.

With just around 50 full-time employees, Telegram has emerged as an essential communication tool utilized by governments, officials, and the general public globally. The company has successfully raised $2 billion in debt funding, including a $1 billion bond offering in 2021, followed by two further issues of $75 million and $270 million last year.

Telegram is pondering an IPO that has garnered attention from potential investors, which positions the overall company valuation at more than $30 billion. Notably, bondholders stand to convert their debt to equity at a discounted rate if an IPO takes place before March 2026.

According to Pavel Durov in an interview with FT, \"We aim to turn a profit next year, if not sooner. Our decision to monetize stemmed from a desire to maintain our independence. We recognize the potential of an IPO as a pathway to democratize access to Telegram’s value.\"

As they prepare for a potential IPO, Telegram is investigating routes to bolster revenue, such as advertising and revenue-sharing agreements with content creators. Durov mentioned the possibility of offering stock shares to dedicated users, following the example of a platform that revealed intentions to provide shares to retail investors ahead of an anticipated New York listing in March. He also noted that there's been interest in executing a minor equity raise. Reddit Discussing potential fundraising, he stated, \"We may consider this if we wish to fund our [artificial intelligence] endeavors,\" and hinted at developing an AI-driven chatbot.

Durov has recently introduced a suite of business features on Telegram, enabling users to convert their personal accounts into professional ones. Furthermore, these business accounts will soon have the capability to integrate a bot, effectively functioning as a personal assistant that can manage or respond to selected messages. A new bot API is also set to launch for developers later this month, with no associated costs for accessing any of these functionalities.

Often dubbed as the 'Mark Zuckerberg of Russia,' Durov co-founded VKontakte, a leading social network in Russia, before establishing Telegram in 2013. He exited Russia in 2014 to avoid complying with demands to share user data with governmental authorities. AI chatbot Please be aware that the information on this page is intended for informational purposes only and should not be regarded as legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other type of advice. It's crucial to invest only what you can afford to lose and to seek independent financial counsel if uncertain. For more details, we recommend reviewing the terms and conditions along with the help and support sections provided by the issuer or advertiser. MetaversePost is dedicated to offering accurate and unbiased news, yet market circumstances can change unpredictably.

Victor serves as the Managing Tech Editor/Writer at Metaverse Post, delving into topics such as artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, data science, the metaverse, and cybersecurity, especially in the enterprise sector. With five years of experience in media and AI, he has worked with notable platforms like VentureBeat, DatatechVibe, and Analytics India Magazine. Holding the position of Media Mentor at renowned institutions like Oxford and USC, and possessing a Master’s degree in data science and analytics, Victor ensures he remains well-informed about emerging trends.