/Wiz Rejects Google's $23 Billion Offer

What's so special about the cloud security firm Wiz that Google was willing to offer them $23 billion? Simply put, Wiz is a platform that helps cloud engineers quickly detect security risks using snapshots. Their agentless approach ensures comprehensive scanning across any cloud environment. As far as Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) goes, Wiz serves its purpose effectively by detecting and alerting on misconfigurations based on industry standards, vendor guidance, and security/compliance frameworks. However, in my opinion, there isn't much that differentiates Wiz from other cloud security providers. Orca, another cloud security platform, seems to share this view, as evidenced by their ongoing patent infringement lawsuit against Wiz. Sometimes, a good solution that works efficiently is enough to succeed.

Wiz has built its business on a simple business plan: copy Orca. This copying is replete throughout Wiz’s business and has manifest in myriad ways. In its marketing, Wiz copies Orca’s imagery, its message, and even the coffee it uses at trade shows. ORCA SECURITY vs WIZ INC

In a surprising turn of events, the rumored acquisition by Google fell through. Despite being offered $10 billion over their last private valuation of $12 billion, Wiz ultimately declined the deal. Had the deal gone through, each founder of Wiz would have netted two billion dollars. Maybe I'm too greedy, but it's hard to fathom walking away from such an offer. This decision seems like a prime example of hubris, but I'd love to be proven wrong. Could they truly believe in their product so much that they would rather pursue an IPO?

Perhaps there's more to their logic. Google has a reputation for acquiring companies and subsequently running them into the ground. They also seem to kill more products than they release, which I find comical¹. However, who cares if your company gets ground down to dust if you gain billions in the process? It's unlikely their IPO valuation would match Google's offer. Money aside, I'd actually support Wiz continuing their independent journey if their product wasn't so similar to others on the market.

I wish I had the moral compass and passion for my work that the team at Wiz seems to possess. It's respectable. They could have sold out, walked away with $2 billion each, and relaxed on yachts, leaving their employees to watch the company be dismantled. Instead, they appear to have a deeper interest in their work than just financial gain.

Nevertheless, I stand by my opinion that Wiz will regret turning down this offer in the near future. Given that their product is strikingly similar to Orca’s and isn’t considered the best in its field, it’s hard to see how they will justify this decision. Their choice to continue independently might demonstrate their passion and belief in their mission, but without significant differentiation from competitors like Orca, they might find the path forward more challenging than anticipated.