Amazon buys smart doorbell maker Ring for a reported $1 billion
- Amazon is reportedly buying smart doorbell maker Ring for more than $1 billion.
- Amazon has previously invested in Ring through the Alexa Fund, its investment arm exclusively investing in Alexa-powered devices.
- Ring has raised $209 million so far and was last valued at $760 million, according to Pitchbook.
Amazon is buying smart doorbell maker Ring, a deal that will allow the company to expand its home security and in-house delivery services.
In an email statement to CNBC, Ring's spokesperson confirmed the deal, saying: "We'll be able to achieve even more by partnering with an inventive, customer-centric company like Amazon. We look forward to being a part of the Amazon team as we work toward our vision for safer neighborhoods."
Amazon is expected to keep Ring as an independent business, much like it has with its other acquisitions, like Zappos and Twitch, according to GeekWire, which earlier reported details of the deal. Financial details of the move were not disclosed, but Reuters reported it could be worth more than $1 billion, making it one of the largest acquisitions in Amazon's history.
Amazon's spokesperson also confirmed the deal, saying: "Ring's home security products and services have delighted customers since day one. We're excited to work with this talented team."
Amazon has been making moves to get into the home security space lately. It partnered with lock manufacturers Kwikset and Yale for its new in-home delivery service, Amazon Key, and recently acquired smart camera maker Blink.
Ring has raised $443.9 million so far, and was last valued at $760 million, according to Pitchbook.
This isn't the first time Amazon has partnered with Ring. The e-commerce company previously invested in Ring through its Alexa Fund, which exclusively invests in companies that help scale its Alexa voice technology.
In a previous interview with CNBC, Ring CEO Jamie Siminoff described his relationship with Amazon and the Alexa Fund as "nuclear power," in reference to the company's potential to both help and destroy your business.
"To say Amazon will not compete with you is lunacy because they compete with everybody," Siminoff said. "They're like nuclear power. They are very, very powerful and you can get amazing, clean energy from them but there's also the possibility of getting human radiation if you're not careful."