Google just bought cybersecurity company Wiz for $32 billion, making it the biggest startup acquisition ever. The deal came together after Google had to add an extra $9 billion to convince Wiz to say yes.
Wiz protects companies from hackers when they store data in the cloud. As more businesses move online and use AI, they need better security – which makes Wiz incredibly valuable right now.
The $9 Billion Sweetener
Google first tried to buy Wiz in 2024, but the startup turned them down. After months of negotiations and regulatory reviews in the US and Europe, Google had to boost their offer by $9 billion to seal the deal. That’s more money than most companies are worth entirely.
Wiz has been riding three major tech trends at once. Companies are moving to cloud storage, adding AI to everything, and spending more on cybersecurity after high-profile hacks. According to investor Shardul Shah, Wiz sits “at the center of three tailwinds: AI, cloud, and security spend.”
The deal shows how desperate big tech companies are to dominate cybersecurity. With hackers getting smarter and businesses storing more sensitive data online, protection services like Wiz have become goldmines.
What’s Next
Google now owns one of the fastest-growing security companies in the world. Expect them to bundle Wiz’s protection into their cloud services, making it harder for competitors like Amazon and Microsoft to win business customers.