Google is in serious talks about buying the web-phenomenon Groupon, which is growing at record speed in Norway under the name Groupon MyCityDeal. The prize of the acquisition is, according to ft.com and several other international financial channels, over six billion dollars – the equivalent of approximately 37 billion kroner. The Swedish investor Kinnevik is one of the major owners of Groupon.
Groupon offer goods and services at heavily discounted prices if enough users agree to test the offer. Groupon was established in Norway in May, and to date over 100 000 customers are registered members. On a national basis the number of members are reaching 200 000, according to general manager Bredo Johansen in Groupon Norway.
Bredo Johansen did not want to comment on a possible bid from Google.
– I do not know anything more about this than what I've read in international newspapers, he claims.
According to Johansson, there are no employees in Norway who own shares in the company. The Norwegian company is owned by City Deal AS, which is owned by Groupon. Johansen does not want to comment on whether the employees will gain from the profits of the sale
– But of course we try to get attention when we perform as we do, Johansen said.