Getting acquired by Google is not every startup’s dream. The Information reported yesterday that Cyanogen had turned down Google’s advances. The revelation that Google wanted to acquire the company that builds its own version of Android was apparently made by company CEO Kirt McMaster to company shareholders.
It’s not the first time that a company reaches out to Cyanogen to gauge interest in an acquisition. Amazon and Microsoft among others have reportedly also looked into such a move and been turned down as well. None other than Sundar Pichai, Senior Vice President, Android, Chrome and Apps, reportedly met with Cyanogen’s leadership team and pitched them the idea.
The report adds that Cyanogen is now engaged in a Series C round of financing with “late-stage investors and some major tech firms.” Despite having generated little in terms of revenues, the company is looking for a valuation worth nearly US$1 billion.
Following a deal by which OnePlususes CyanogenMod on its OnePlus One smartphone, Cyanogen told investors that it has struck a similar deal to have its version of Android preloaded on a line of smartphones from India’s Micromax.
Cyanogen’s take on Android has been well received by users across the world. It revealed last June that it had recorded over 12 million active installs across a range of devices.
Sources : The Information // Engadget