Search engine provider Google is reportedly planning to buy Skybox Imaging, a US-based provider of satellite images that is backed by Norwest Venture Partners, the venture capital firm for which bank Wells Fargo is the sole limited partner.
News provider TechCrunch stated that the deal with Skybox “is happening,” with one source estimating the price at about $1bn.
Skybox has raised $91m from Norwest, as well as VC firms Asset Management Ventures, CrunchFund, Canaan Partners, Khosla Ventures and Bessemer Venture Partners.
The TechCrunch report suggested that Google is also interested in acquiring another satellite image provider, Planet Labs, which has raised more than $65m from investors including O’Reilly AlphaTech Ventures, the corporate venturing unit of O’Reilly Media.