Wattpad Storytelling App Sold for $600 Million to South Korean Firm Naver
Etan Vlessing
The Canadian storytelling app Wattpad has unveiled a deal to be acquired by Naver, the South Korean Internet conglomerate and home of Webtoon, the global digital comics platform as part of a cash and stock deal valued at $600 million.
The acquisition, when completed, will combine Wattpad and Webtoon into a platform with a joint global monthly audience of 160 million users. Wattpad will remain headquartered in Toronto under the leadership of co-founders Allen Lau and Ivan Yuen, and its board of directors offered its approval for the friendly takeover by publicly-listed Naver.