eBay conforms to rumour, sells Skype

4-year ownership comes to an end

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2 September 2009 6:16 GMT / By Stuart Miles

eBay, as rumoured on Tuesday, sold its controlling stake in Voice over IP company Skype in a deal valuing the company at $2.75 billion.

"Today, Skype begins a new chapter. We’re spinning off from eBay to become an independent company once again", said Josh Silverman, Skype's CEO in blog post.

"A small group of venture capital funds have agreed with eBay to acquire a majority stake in Skype. The group is led by Silver Lake Partners, joined by Index and Andreessen Horowitz Ventures. You may recognize some names – for example Danny Rimer and Mike Volpi (both at Index Ventures) who were some of the earliest Board members and supporters of Skype".

"The new investors will buy approximately 65% of Skype, with eBay continuing to own 35%, in a deal valuing Skype at $2.75 billion US".

"It means we’re back to being a fully independent company again, but with a new group of owners who believe passionately in our mission and in the ability of our team to deliver on it. I can’t wait."

Ebay bought Skype Technologies in 2005 for $2.6bn (£1.4bn).