WhatsApp acquired by Facebook for 19 billion dollar

Updated : 20-Feb-2014

Social media giant Facebook Inc acquired WhatsApp for 19 billion dollars in a cash and stock deal on 19 February 2014. Whatsapp is a mobile messaging company.

WhatsApp co-founder and CEO Jan Koum will join Facebook Board of Directors.

Important to note : 

• WhatsApp's core messaging product and Facebook's existing messenger app will continue to operate as standalone applications.
• The acquisition price included 4 billion dollars in cash, about 12 billion dollars worth of Facebook shares and 3 billion dollars in restricted stock units to be granted to WhatsApp's founders and employees.
• Jan Koum co-founded WhatsApp with Brian Acton in 2009, both former Yahoo executives.

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