Microsoft is planning to set its sights on about 20 small – mid-sized acquistions per year in the range of $50 million to $1 billion each. The idea behind this strategy to lessen focus on larger deals. Co-incidentally, it has been in news for its rumoured acquisition plans with social networking giants like Facebook.
At a question and answer session in Web 2.0 summit, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said that the current focus is on “indirect path”. Mr. Ballmer’s comments also hinted that Microsoft could combine forces with others to counter Search engine revelation Google.
Microsoft’s overall acquisition strategy has been a mix of small and big acquisitions. Except the $US 6 billion acquisition of aQuantive this year, Microsoft has been constantly buying out relatively cheaper organizations.
During the last fiscal year which ended in June 2007 Microsoft had purchased about 23 companies. Out of that about more than half of buy-outs were valued cumulatively at $1.34 billion including Tellme Networks buyout at $800 million.
