Going Public: How Silicon Valley Rebels Loosened Wall Street's Grip on the IPO and Sparked a Revolution

The book GOING PUBLIC explores the last five years of unprecedented change in how technology startups sell shares to the public, focusing on the initial public offerings (IPOs) of companies like Spotify, Airbnb, DoorDash, and Palantir. It tells the stories of the executives who took the risk and lobbied securities watchdogs and exchange staff to rewrite the regulations, as well as earlier attempts to rethink the IPO process and the recent boom in blank-check companies.

Format: Hardback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 04 August 2022
Publisher: Little, Brown & Company

GOING PUBLIC is a captivating narrative that delves into the transformative last five years in the world of technology startups and their initial public offerings (IPOs). These IPOs have become a gateway for retail investors to participate in the New Economy, promising to reshape economic rules. However, selling IPOs has also proven to be a highly lucrative business for Wall Street investment banks, who have protected their profits for over four decades. In a time when algorithms and software have revolutionized the financial markets, the pricing of IPOs still relies heavily on human judgment.

In 2016, executives at music-streaming service Spotify embarked on a mission to challenge the established norms. Led by the charismatic CFO Barry McCarthy and the visionary founder Daniel Ek, they took a bold idea and transformed it into a groundbreaking reality. GOING PUBLIC takes readers on a journey to explore how Spotify executives embraced risk and successfully lobbied securities watchdogs and exchange staff to rewrite regulations. The book also introduces readers to other disruptive companies such as Airbnb, DoorDash, and data miner Palantir, as well as venture capitalists who capitalized on Spotify's success. It also sheds light on the recent boom in blank-check companies, which have become the hottest way to enter the public markets.

GOING PUBLIC offers a unique perspective, providing stories from inside the room and offering a deeper understanding of the IPO process. The book delves into the challenges and complexities faced by technology startups as they navigate the public markets, including the scrutiny from regulators and the demands of investors. It also explores the impact of IPOs on the broader economy, including the potential for job creation and economic growth.

Overall, GOING PUBLIC is a must-read for anyone interested in the world of technology, finance, and entrepreneurship. It provides a comprehensive and insightful analysis of the recent trends and developments in the tech industry, and offers valuable insights into the strategies and tactics used by successful companies as they navigate the complex landscape of IPOs and public markets.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538707883