Windsurf Acquisition by OpenAI Fails; Instead Google DeepMind Hires Windsurf CEO, Co-Founder, and Other Top Employees
In a shocking turn of events, OpenAI’s acquisition of the AI coding startup – Windsurf for USD 3 billion has failed. Surprisingly, Google has come into the picture and has hired the top executives and employees from Windsurf to DeepMind.
Read more about these latest updates below.
As OpenAI’s Deal Comes to an End, Google DeepMind Hires Windsurf’s Top Executives and Employees!
The Windsurf-acquisition by OpenAI was something that took the headlines and it was discussed to be the brand’s largest acquisition so far. However, all has come to an end as the exclusivity period of the Windsurf-acquisition for OpenAI expired yesterday (Friday, 11th of July 2025). Windsurf did not have to wait for long to find a better offer as Google is now already there in the picture with an even better ‘acquihire’ deal and a non-exclusive license to some of the Windsurf technologies.
Speaking more, it has been reported that Google – the California-based tech giant, has hired Varun Mohan – CEO of Windsurf, Douglas Chen – Co-Founder of Windsurf, and a few other top employees of Windsurf to DeepMind, and together both Google DeepMind and Windsurf has decided to work alongside in the AI tech market. Also to add, Google has not asked for any stake in Windsurf and does not have any control over Windsurf or its operations. Moreover, since Google has signed up for a non-exclusive license to Windsurf technologies, Windsurf will also be able to license its technologies to other companies as well.
For Windsurf, Jeff Wang – the company’s Head of Businesses will be taking over the charge as the interim CEO. Also, only a few of the 250 employees of Windsurf have joined Google’s DeepMind and most of them will continue and remain working for Windsurf itself.
