Google Gains Ground with Windsurf Workforce
Alphabet-owned Google has strengthened its AI coding capabilities by hiring key executives from the startup WindsorSurf. Announced on Friday, Google is paying a $2.4 billion licensing fee under the agreement but will not acquire any equity stake in WindsorSurf. WindsorSurf’s CEO Varun Mohan, co-founder Douglas Chen, and several members of its research team will join Google’s DeepMind unit, according to Reuters.
Previously, OpenAI had attempted to acquire the startup for $3 billion. Google stated that this recruitment aims to advance its Agentic Coding Project and Gemini Project. The deal has also proved beneficial for investors, who receive cash while retaining their partnership stakes in WindsorSurf.
Such ‘acqui-hire’ arrangements have recently gained popularity among tech giants, though they may attract regulatory scrutiny.
