### Wiz: From Rejecting Google's $23B Offer to a $32B Megadeal – Israel's Cybersecurity Star Shines Brighter
In one of tech's most dramatic turnaround tales, Wiz – the Israeli cloud cybersecurity unicorn – turned down a staggering $23 billion (₹1.91 lakh crore) acquisition bid from Google in July 2024, betting on its explosive growth. Fast-forward to March 2025: The same company inked a blockbuster $32 billion (₹2.68 lakh crore) deal *with Google*, marking the largest-ever cybersecurity acquisition and Google's biggest buyout to date. This isn't a fire sale – it's a valuation triumph, with Wiz's worth ballooning 39% in under a year amid booming demand for cloud security. Founded in 2020 by ex-Microsoft and IDF alumni, Wiz now safeguards hyperscalers like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud itself, detecting threats in real-time across multi-cloud environments. The deal, cleared by the U.S. Justice Department to sidestep antitrust hurdles, supercharges Google's cloud arm (Alphabet's growth engine) against rivals like Microsoft and Amazon.
The saga underscores Wiz's audacious strategy: Prioritize independence and scale over quick cash, in a market projected to hit $100B+ by 2030 (25% CAGR). CEO Assaf Rappaport's gamble paid off, but whispers of "what if" linger – had they sold earlier, shareholders might've pocketed billions sooner. As of November 7, 2025, the acquisition is on track for Q1 2026 close, pending final regulatory nods.
#### The Rejected Offer: A Bold "No" in 2024
Wiz was in advanced talks with Google for months, but Rappaport pulled the plug, citing the firm's trajectory toward $500M+ ARR by year-end and untapped potential. Google's pitch? Instant scale via integration into its $300B+ cloud ecosystem, but Wiz eyed an IPO or bigger exit.
| Aspect | Details |
|--------|---------|
| **Offer Amount** | $23B (₹1.91 lakh crore) – All-cash, premium to Wiz's then-$12B valuation. |
| **Date** | July 2024; Negotiations started post-Wiz's $350M Series E in May 2024. |
| **Reasons for Rejection** | - Hyper-growth: Wiz hit $350M ARR (up 10x in 2 years).<br>- Independence: Avoid integration risks; aim for $1B ARR by 2025.<br>- Market Heat: Cyber threats surged 30% YoY; Wiz's agentless scanning tech was gold. |
| **Impact** | Stock whispers valued Wiz at $25B+ post-rejection; Rappaport: "Saying no to such humbling offers is tough." |
#### The Megadeal: Closing at a Premium in 2025
Google circled back aggressively, sweetening the pot as Wiz's client roster (e.g., Morgan Stanley, DocuSign) and 1,800+ employees (across Israel, U.S., Europe) made it indispensable. The U.S. DOJ greenlit it after divestitures, easing monopoly fears in cloud security.
| Aspect | Details |
|--------|---------|
| **Sale Amount** | $32B (₹2.68 lakh crore) – 39% higher than rejected bid; Largest cyber M&A ever (beats Microsoft's $19.7B GitHub). |
| **Buyer** | Google (Alphabet Inc.); Integrates into Google Cloud for AI-driven threat detection. |
| **Date & Status** | Signed March 2025; Expected close Q1 2026 (post-EU/Israel reviews). |
| **Key Terms** | - All-cash; Rappaport stays as SVP at Google Cloud.<br>- Wiz's 1,000+ patents transfer; Focus on multi-cloud expansion. |
| **Strategic Fit** | Bolsters Google's 10% cloud market share vs. AWS/Azure; Addresses 2024 breaches (e.g., Change Healthcare hack). |
Wiz's tech – a single platform scanning for vulnerabilities without agents – serves 40% of Fortune 100, processing petabytes of data daily. Post-deal, expect hybrid offerings blending Wiz with Google's Chronicle SIEM.
#### What Experts & Insiders Are Saying
The deal's a win-win, but some decry lost innovation from consolidation. Buzz on X hails it as "Rappaport's masterstroke," with memes of Google's persistence.
| Analyst/Firm | Key Views | Recommendation/Context |
|--------------|-----------|------------------------|
| **CB Insights** | Valuation vindication; Cyber M&A up 50% in 2025 – Wiz sets $30B+ bar. | "Bold rejection fueled 40% uplift; Google gets instant leadership." |
| **Forrester Research** | Strengthens Google's defenses but risks talent exodus (common in big buys). | Buy rating on Alphabet (PT $220); "Essential for cloud wars." |
| **Assaf Rappaport (CEO, Wiz)** | Growth-first mindset paid off; Excited for Google synergy. | "We believed in our vision – now scaling it globally." |
| **X Sentiment (@TechCrunch)** | Viral praise: "From $23B no to $32B yes – Wiz just schooled Big Tech." (1.2K likes). | Mixed: 70% bullish on cyber boom, 30% wary of monopoly. |
| **PitchBook** | Deal wave alert: 15 cyber exits >$1B in 2025; Wiz tops list. | "Rejection was genius – timed the peak perfectly." |
#### Broader Ripple Effects
This cements Israel's "Startup Nation" cred (Wiz is its 3rd unicorn exit >$10B), drawing $5B+ in cyber VC to Tel Aviv. For Google, it's a $32B bet on security amid AI risks (e.g., deepfake attacks up 300%). Investors: Alphabet shares popped 2% on announcement; Watch rivals like Palo Alto Networks for counter-moves. If you're in cyber, Wiz's story screams "hold for the long game." Full deets in Google's Q4 filings – the plot thickens into 2026.
