Here are 10 Bold but very possible predictions for 2012…please feel free to add some comments or your own predictions. In April, I’ll reevaluate and possibly make a few changes or add some new predictions.
1. Microsoft buys Twitter
2. Apple buys Spotify
3. Facebook (post IPO) buys Yahoo
4. Ebay buys Airbnb
5. Google buys Square
6. HP buys Dropbox
7. Samsung buys Blackberry
8. Comcast buys Netflix
9. Salesforce buys Hubspot
10. EMC buys Box.net
Awesome list. Was wondering why you think Airbnb is a good fit for ebay? It seems that Expedia as the buyer would make a better deal, given the synergy from cross selling its user bases with a focus on travelling. Would be an expensive acquisition thought since Expedia only has $2B in cash
Expedia could be an interesting buyer and a good fit. I don’t know if they have a track record of M&A deals. Airbnb’s last VC round valued the conpany at $1.2 billion. If Expedia bought them it would be too dilutive.
Hey Jonah,
I like your tweets and the blog. Just like you I created a bunch of Twitter accounts @BostonDeals, @SocialEscapes, and the NEW @BostonSalesGuy to name a few. My background is Media sales and I am looking for a new job. What Boston companies, and or Startups would you apply to if you wanted a new job in sales?
Thanks,
Mike
Interesting predictions. They all make sense to me strategically.
I wonder if Google should be paying more attention to Twitter than Microsoft, though their purchase of Square would align quite nicely with Google Wallet (which could be a huge product for them down the road…).
I’m not sure Twitter will be willing to sell though, it sounds like they’ve figured out a great business model finally and should be quite profitable this year.
I just don’t see the founders of AirBnB, DropBox, or Spotify selling either, the founders seem too serious about building big businesses around them. They also all just raised huge rounds of funding that should carry them for at least 2012 one would imagine. 2013 is a different crystal ball though.
The exception is that Apple has the capital right now to buy anything, maybe Spotify will go at the right price…