Some business acquisitions turn out to be absolute game-changers. The companies that made these bold investment decisions—sometimes facing skepticism at the time—have reaped massive financial rewards, turning these deals into some of the smartest business moves ever made.
Take Disney buying Marvel for $4 billion, now a goldmine thanks to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Or Google picking up YouTube for “just” $1.65 billion, which now rakes in over $40 billion a year in ad revenue. Then there’s Meta’s surprising $19 billion purchase of WhatsApp, which many doubted at first but has since become one of the most valuable digital assets around.
Most companies considering such massive investments will seek expert help. Engaging a specialized advisory firm can significantly increase the likelihood of a successful merger by providing end-to-end support, from finding potential deals and conducting valuations to managing negotiations, due diligence, and even post-merger integration. These advisors, such as Infinity Merge, bring an objective viewpoint that helps structure deals advantageously, mitigate risks, and optimize outcomes.
The following eight examples prove that with the right vision, a bold acquisition can pay off handsomely.
Disney Acquiring Marvel ($4 Billion, 2009)
Disney’s acquisition of Marvel in 2009 for $4 billion stands as one of the most financially successful business deals in history.
The most obvious financial success came from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), which has since become the highest-grossing film franchise of all time. Collectively, Marvel movies have earned over $29 billion at the global box office, with blockbuster hits like Avengers: Endgame ($2.79 billion), Avengers: Infinity War ($2.05 billion), and Spider-Man: No Way Home ($1.91 billion) ranking among the highest-grossing films ever.
For just $4 billion, Disney has earned back its investment many times over, with Marvel’s overall brand value now estimated to be worth over $50 billion.
Facebook (Meta) Acquiring WhatsApp ($19 Billion, 2014)
Facebook (now Meta) acquired WhatsApp in 2014 for $19 billion, a price tag that shocked many at the time. WhatsApp is a popular messaging app, but the company had no advertising, no major revenue streams, and a small team of around 50 employees.
While WhatsApp initially had no direct monetization model, Meta has successfully leveraged it for business and commerce. WhatsApp Business, launched after the acquisition, allows companies to connect with customers through chat support, automated messaging, and even payments.
Despite regulatory challenges and privacy concerns, WhatsApp has become a strategic asset worth well over its original acquisition price While it may not generate direct advertising dollars like Facebook or Instagram, its influence in global communication and commerce makes it one of the most valuable digital assets in Meta’s portfolio. The $19 billion price tag, once questioned, now seems like a bargain given WhatsApp’s continued growth and long-term financial potential.
Google Acquiring YouTube ($1.65 Billion, 2006)
Google’s acquisition of YouTube in 2006 for $1.65 billion is one of the most financially successful business deals in history. At the time, YouTube was a small, rapidly growing video-sharing platform, but it was struggling with high bandwidth costs and copyright issues. Many questioned whether Google had overpaid for what was then an unprofitable startup.
Its ad business has exploded, with YouTube Ads generating over $40 billion per year, making it a major pillar of Google’s (now Alphabet’s) overall earnings. With over 2.5 billion monthly users, it is the second-most visited website globally, behind Google Search.
Another critical factor is its role in Google’s broader digital ecosystem. YouTube integrates seamlessly with Google’s advertising network, using Google Ads to serve highly targeted video ads based on search history, user behavior, and preferences.
The rise of platforms like TikTok has increased competition, but YouTube’s dominance remains largely unshaken, thanks to continuous innovation such as YouTube Shorts and AI-driven content recommendations.
In retrospect, paying just $1.65 billion for YouTube now looks like one of the best tech acquisitions ever.
Amazon Acquiring Whole Foods ($13.7 Billion, 2017)
At the time, Whole Foods was a well-established but struggling premium grocery chain known for its organic products and higher prices.
Since the acquisition, Whole Foods has seen a steady increase in revenue, and while Amazon doesn’t break out its exact financials, it is estimated that Whole Foods contributes billions of dollars annually to Amazon’s retail earnings.
In hindsight, the $13.7 billion acquisition price now seems like a bargain, given the strategic advantages Amazon has gained.
Microsoft Acquiring LinkedIn ($26.2 Billion, 2016)
Microsoft’s acquisition of LinkedIn in 2016 for $26.2 billion is one of the most financially successful business acquisitions in history.
Since the acquisition, LinkedIn’s revenue has skyrocketed, growing from approximately $3 billion in 2016 to over $15 billion annually today. A major driver of this growth has been LinkedIn’s premium subscription services, job recruitment tools, and advertising business. LinkedIn’s advertising business, LinkedIn Ads, has also experienced tremendous growth under Microsoft.
Apple Acquiring Beats ($3 Billion, 2014)
Apple’s acquisition of Beats by Dre in 2014 for $3 billion stands as one of the company’s most financially successful business deals. At the time, Beats was best known for its high-end headphones and strong brand appeal, but Apple saw more than just a hardware company, it saw an opportunity to dominate the music streaming and audio markets.
What seemed like a steep price at the time turned out to be a strategic investment that has generated massive returns. Beyond streaming, Apple leveraged Beats’ brand power to strengthen its audio hardware business. Financially, this acquisition has paid off many times over.
Google Acquiring Android ($50 Million, 2005)
Google’s acquisition of Android in 2005 for just $50 million is one of the most financially successful business deals in history. At the time, Android was a small startup developing an open-source operating system for mobile devices.
One of the biggest financial wins from Android is its integration with Google’s advertising business. By ensuring that Android devices come preloaded with Google Search, Chrome, YouTube, and Google Play, the company has secured billions in ad revenue annually. Mobile search and display ads now make up a massive portion of Google’s total revenue, with Android playing a key role in this ecosystem.
From an initial $50 million investment, Google has turned Android into a trillion-dollar ecosystem generating revenue through advertising, app sales, cloud services, and hardware.
Microsoft Acquiring Activision Blizzard ($68.7 Billion, 2023)
Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard in 2023 for $68.7 billion is one of the largest and most financially significant deals in gaming history.
One of the biggest financial advantages of this acquisition is Microsoft’s control over some of the most valuable gaming franchises. Activision Blizzard owns massively successful titles such as Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Overwatch, Diablo, and Candy Crush, games that generate billions in revenue annually.
Activision Blizzard owns King, the studio behind Candy Crush, one of the most profitable mobile games ever. Candy Crush alone has generated over $20 billion in lifetime revenue, and Microsoft can now use King’s expertise to expand its mobile gaming strategy.
Financially, Activision Blizzard was already generating over $8 billion in annual revenue before the acquisition, making it an instantly profitable asset for Microsoft. Over time, the integration of Activision Blizzard into Microsoft’s ecosystem, combined with Game Pass growth, mobile expansion, and strong game sales, will likely make this $68.7 billion deal one of the most valuable acquisitions in tech and gaming history.
Conclusion
From Disney turning Marvel into a box office goldmine to Google making YouTube and Android household names, these moves were genius. Whether it’s Meta’s WhatsApp revolutionising global communication, Microsoft expanding its gaming empire, or Apple using Beats to fuel its audio success, acquisitions are sometimes about more than just buying companies; they are about shaping the future.
The successes outlined above serve to highlight one simple truth: often, it’s the biggest risks that lead to the biggest rewards.
