Microsoft Corp. has revived talks to acquire GitHub Inc. for a potential transaction value of about $5 billion, Business Insider reported, citing sources.
The deal value is still being discussed as it is uncertain whether Microsoft is prepared to pay $5 billion for the developer platform, according to the June 1 report.
Microsoft could reportedly also look into funding GitHub, potentially with an option to buy, instead of acquiring the company at once. Under this possibility, Microsoft would allow one of its engineers to become the CEO of GitHub.
Microsoft executive Nat Friedman could also be selected to take over as GitHub's CEO regardless of a deal, the report said, citing speculations at the San Francisco, Calif.-based company. CEO Chris Wanstrath in August 2017 announced his plans to step down when a replacement had been selected; GitHub has not yet found a replacement for him.
GitHub Chief Strategy Officer Julio Avalos is reportedly overseeing most of the company's departments at the moment.
Microsoft and GitHub had discussed a potential deal last year for the same transaction value, but the parties did not come close to an agreement, according to sources.
GitHub had a valuation of $2 billion in 2015 following a $250 million Series B funding round led by Sequoia Capital.
