It's no secret that GoPro has been in dire financial trouble of late, and rumors that it was for sale weren't far behind. So, when news hit my screen that a massive portion of the action camera company is set to be acquired later this year, it was hardly surprising, but I can't say the company acquiring it hasn't raised my eyebrows.
Self-proclaimed AI hardware company Starman Optical has reportedly agreed to merge with GoPro. It's a privately held company owned by Starman Holdings, which produces optical transceivers—devices that turn data into light for the use of high-speed communication. The $285 million deal will see Starman Optical acquire 90% of GoPro in a deal that pays shareholders $1.14 per share, which is around 30% more than the company's closing price on Monday. This deal will also see Starman Optical pay GoPro's outstanding debt of $92 million.