Waze Co-Founder Rejected $23 Billion Google Offer, Later Accepted $30 Billion

Waze co-founder and former CEO Asaf Rapoport revealed in a rare interview that he rejected Google's initial acquisition offer of $23 billion, a decision he initially questioned but ultimately deemed correct. Rapoport explained that the offer came in March 2025, and at the time, he and his partners felt it was too early to sell, believing Waze still had significant growth potential. He admitted to feeling like a "fool" immediately after rejecting the offer, questioning who would turn down such a sum, but maintained the company was not worth that much, estimating its value at half that amount.

Rapoport recounted a subsequent meeting with Google CEO Sundar Pichai, where a new offer was presented in a "large brown envelope" during a discreet meeting in a New York hotel. This time, the offer was for $30 billion, and Rapoport agreed to proceed with negotiations, emphasizing that the initial number in any deal is always a starting point for discussion. He also touched upon the personal financial impact of the Waze exit, stating that the approximately $2 billion he received after taxes is "inconceivable" and allows him the freedom to pursue what he truly desires, though he works harder than ever.

The interview also covered Rapoport's involvement in the high-tech protest against the Israeli government's judicial overhaul in 2023, explaining that Waze's decision to move company funds out of Israel was a business risk management move, not a political one. He also discussed his recent acquisition of Channel 13, a move he described as an effort to build an independent, patriotic, and democratic media organization, despite government opposition. Rapoport expressed surprise at the extent of the government's efforts to block the deal, even during wartime, and asserted his commitment to professional journalism at the channel.