IPO vs Sale to Private Buyer
Starting to think about exiting one of our portfolio companies but I haven’t heard IPO as an option despite EBITDA of over $150mm / year.
What are the key determinants PE firms use to decide IPO vs sale to private at exit?
Well, I’m not an expert, but if you IPO you face 1) market valuation and 2) market volatility.
Right now, the market is likely to mark PE platforms down from the inertial multiples they are still at.
And the markets have been volatile in ‘22, as we all know. IPOing puts you at risk of a market sell off if the US or global economy goes into a recession. Right now, safer and smarter to hold on to your companies and promote cash flow as a core of your strategy.
IPOs are nightmares, can't really exit immediately, and you can get clapped for a number of factors after going public that are out of your control (think last year).
Easier and cleaner to exit to a larger fund/strategic single buyer or group.
Obviously sometimes the company is too big and the universe of buyers is too small or doesn't exist and then you basically have to go public.
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