Google Said to Be in Talks to Buy Software Maker ITA
Google Inc. is in talks to acquire ITA Software Inc., a maker of travel programs used by companies including Orbitz Worldwide Inc. and Microsoft Corp., three people familiar with the matter said.
ITA Software, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, may seek about $1 billion, said two of the people, who asked not to be identified because the discussions haven’t been made public. The talks may not lead to a transaction, said the people.
With tools that help users find flight information online, ITA Software may help Google compete with travel-search features offered by Microsoft. The companies are tussling for share in the U.S. market for online travel, which generated $88.4 billion in sales last year, according to Sherman, Connecticut travel consulting firm PhoCusWright Inc.
ITA Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Wertheimer and spokeswoman Cara Kretz didn’t return phone calls seeking comment. ITA investors include General Catalyst Partners and Sequoia Capital. General Catalyst Managing Director Joel Cutler and Sequoia spokesman Mark Dempster didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.
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