Jul 15, 2025 11:35:00

AI startup Windsurf acquired by AI engineering firm Cognition, founders poached by Google DeepMind

Cognition , which provides the AI agent 'Devin,' has announced that it has acquired Windsurf, a developer of AI coding tools. Windsurf was being considered for acquisition by OpenAI, but was unable to do so and instead partnered with Google. Founder and CEO Varun Mohan and co-founder Douglas Cheng have moved to Google DeepMind.

Cognition | Cognition's acquisition of Windsurf
https://cognition.ai/blog/windsurf

It's a privilege to welcome Windsurf to Cognition. Here are more details in the note I sent to our Cognition team this morning:

Team,

As discussed during our all-hands, we are acquiring Windsurf. We have now signed a definitive agreement and we couldn't be more excited. Here's… https://t.co/clWrCxAMc5

— Scott Wu (@ScottWu46) July 14, 2025

Windsurf Is Getting Acquired by Cognition
https://www.inc.com/ben-sherry/after-google-poached-its-founder-windsurf-is-getting-acquired-by-recognition/91213494

Cognition to Acquire Windsurf After Google Poaches Founders
https://www.pymnts.com/artificial-intelligence-2/2025/cognition-to-acquire-windsurf-after-google-poaches-founders-and-researchers/

For the time being, Windsurf will continue to operate as usual and will focus on integrating Windsurf capabilities and IP into Cognition products over the coming months.

Cognition CEO Scott Wu expressed his delight at the acquisition of Windsurf, saying, 'We are welcoming some of the best talent in the industry, including world-class GTM (go to market), engineering and product teams.'

According to Wu, the company's top priority in this acquisition was to 'honor the talent, hard work and achievements of the people who built Windsurf into the great business it is today,' and to that end, he worked to ensure that each employee was treated with respect and given due consideration.

By the way, it is known that Windsurf was also aiming to acquire OpenAI. However, Microsoft, OpenAI's largest investor, was concerned that Windsurf was a product that directly competed with GitHub Copilot. In addition, after the acquisition of Windsurf, a conflict arose between OpenAI, which wanted to keep it for itself, and Microsoft, which wanted access.

Is there a rift in the relationship between OpenAI and Microsoft? Dissatisfied OpenAI is preparing to file an antitrust suit - GIGAZINE

Taking advantage of this gap, Google signed a $3.5 billion contract with Windsurf. The company's founder and CEO Varun Mohan, co-founder Douglas Cheng, and some members of the research and development team have moved to Google DeepMind.

AI startup Windsurf, which OpenAI was targeting for acquisition, signs $3.5 billion deal with Google, CEO, co-founder and R&D team members move to Google DeepMind - GIGAZINE