eBay Unloads StumbleUpon

Not a good fit, company officials admit; further portfolio rationalization expected.

by Auctiva.com staff writer
- Apr 13, 2009

eBay confirmed Monday it had sold StumbleUpon, the "Web site finding" portal it acquired nearly two years ago.

StumbleUpon released a statement saying control of the business has been turned over to founders Garrett Camp and Geoff Smith, as well as several venture capital firms. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"It is best for us to part ways and focus on our respective strengths," Camp notes. "This change makes it possible for StumbleUpon to continue to innovate and focus on becoming the Web's largest recommendation service."

Through its ebayink blog, eBay acknowledged it failed to find a fit for StumbleUpon within its corporate strategy.

"As eBay Inc. expands its leadership in online payments and e-commerce, it has become apparent that there are few long-term, strategic synergies between StumbleUpon and the eBay Inc. portfolio," the company states.

eBay is also thought to be quietly seeking a buyer for telecommunications provider Skype—another fast-growing business eBay has struggled to integrate. Like with StumbleUpon, Skype's founders are said to be preparing a bid to buy back the business.


About the Author

Auctiva staff writers constantly monitor trends and best practices of those selling on eBay and elsewhere online. They attend relevant training seminars and trade shows and regularly discuss the market with PowerSellers and other market experts.

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