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YouTuber Markiplier Is Disappointed With GoPro's Planned Merger
Business Insider • • business
Key Points:
- YouTube creator Markiplier, who owns 8.5% of GoPro, expressed disappointment and said he would vote against GoPro's planned merger with optical transceiver company Starman Optical, despite standing to receive around $15 million from the deal.
- Markiplier became GoPro's largest external shareholder in July after investing based on the company's new camera capabilities, sparking a meme-stock rally following his August Bloomberg interview.
- He worries the merger will shift GoPro's focus away from cameras toward unrelated optical connectors for AI data centers, although GoPro's CEO has reaffirmed the company's commitment to camera products.
- Markiplier disclosed his ownership stake late due to unfamiliarity with SEC filing requirements and has emphasized he has no influence over the company or knowledge of the merger plans before they were announced.
- Beyond GoPro, Markiplier is investing in creative technology companies and plans to focus on new projects after his recent film "Iron Lung," seeking companies that address challenges he faces as a content creator.
