InMobi may be facing some interesting times in its key markets including its base market India, but the mobile ad network continues to hold appeal for potential suitors. Even though conversations of a buyout with Google and Yahoo rendered no results last year, it appears that Microsoft is wooing InMobi for estimated deal price of USD 2 billion.
Microsoft has not commented on the rumors that first appeared in reports in India’s daily newspaper but financial newswire service, Seeking Alpha, stated that an announcement was expected shortly.
Mobile has been an area of both focus and challenge for Microsoft. While platforms such as Facebook managed to garner greater mobile advertising revenues, resulting in strong Wall Street performance, Microsoft has explored various ways of upping its mobile game.
At present, Microsoft is among one of InMobi’s largest clients. But Microsoft also decided to pursue the route of engaging advertising tech player versus creating its own ad tech platform. If the deal did take place, it would increase Microsoft’s interest in the advertising technology space.
