MUMBAI: Digital media company Twitter which has helped redefine how people communicate online is worth $9 billion after early employees sold $80 million worth of shares to a fund managed by BlackRock.

This represents a jump since 2011. But it also comes at a time when some technology companies are experiencing a reversal in fortune. Apple‘s stock, for instance, has lost a lot of value.

Launched seven years ago, Twitter allows people to post tweets with a maximum character limit of 140. Celebrities‘ Twitter accounts are hugely popular.

Twitter is said to be looking at an initial public offer (IPO). At the same time allowing early employees to sell means the possibility of delaying the IPO.