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OpenAI in Talks to Acquire AI Coding Tool Windsurf for $3 Billion
OpenAI is reportedly negotiating a deal estimated at $3 billion to acquire Windsurf, a coding assistance tool (previously named Codeium), as confirmed by CNBC.
As Windsurf competes in a crowded market filled with other AI coding solutions like Cursor and the AI features offered by tech giants including Microsoft and Anthropic, this acquisition could significantly enhance OpenAI’s capabilities in coding assistance technologies.
The news of the potential acquisition was first covered by Bloomberg, with CNBC following up by verifying the information through an anonymous source familiar with the ongoing discussions.
As competition heats up in the generative AI sector, OpenAI is striving to maintain its leading position against rivals like Google and Anthropic, all of whom are aggressively investing in AI advancements and launching new offerings. In a noteworthy financial move, OpenAI recently completed a $40 billion funding round, marking the largest private tech funding achievement to date, consequently achieving a staggering valuation of $300 billion.
On the technological front, OpenAI has launched new AI models, known as o3 and o4-mini, that possess the ability to interpret and analyze images, including user-generated sketches and diagrams, regardless of their resolution.
If the agreement with Windsurf goes through, it will represent OpenAI’s largest acquisition to date, overshadowing previous smaller purchases. Last June, for instance, OpenAI acquired analytics database firm Rockset and video collaboration platform Multi. Additionally, in 2023, the company acquired Global Illumination, a company focused on using AI to create innovative tools and digital experiences. However, details regarding the financial aspects of these earlier transactions remain undisclosed.
The rise of Windsurf, along with competitors like Cursor and Replit, represents a growing trend among developers who are increasingly utilizing AI for rapid code generation—a phenomenon referred to as “vibe coding.” This term was popularized by Andrej Karpathy, a former co-founder of OpenAI, in a post on X earlier this year. Microsoft recently announced an Agent Mode feature within its widely adopted Visual Studio Code editor, which shares similar functionalities.
Windsurf’s backers include notable investment firms such as Founders Fund, General Catalyst, Greenoaks, and Kleiner Perkins. According to a report from TechCrunch, Windsurf aimed to raise funding at a valuation of approximately $2.85 billion earlier this year.
— CNBC’s Jordan Novet contributed to this report.
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