Messaging platform Discord has ended deal talks with Microsoft and plans to concentrate on increasing the enterprise as a standalone firm, sources acquainted with the matter instructed Reuters on Tuesday.

The firm will concentrate on constructing the chat platform and making a living from its consumer base that has grown rapidly throughout the pandemic. A public itemizing is on the desk however not imminent, the sources added.

Microsoft and Discord didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark.

Reuters had reported in March that Microsoft was in talks to purchase Discord for greater than $10 billion.

Social networking has grown throughout the Covid-19 pandemic as individuals more and more log on for actions from gaming to funding.

Discord, which permits private and non-private teams to assemble and chat by textual content, audio and video, has expanded from a players membership to all sorts of communities, together with sports activities followers, music teams and cryptocurrency buyers.

With over 140 million customers, its enterprise mannequin stands out within the social community area the place so many know-how firms, equivalent to Facebook and Twitter, depend on promoting for the majority of the income.

The San Francisco-based firm’s income grew to $130 million final yr by its Nitro premium subscriptions, at $9.99 month-to-month or $99.99 yearly, for options equivalent to particular emojis and enhanced video decision.

In December, Discord raised $100 million in a non-public funding spherical that valued it at $7 billion, counting Greenoaks Capital and Index Ventures as buyers.

Microsoft has been on an acquisition spree following its failed bid for TikTok final summer season. This yr, it has acquired gaming firm Zenimax in a $7.5 billion acquisition and speech know-how agency Nuance Communications for about $16 billion.