Even though the Initial Public Offering (IPO) alternative for a successful startup seems to be coming back, it is relatively rare. After a record low of 39 U.S. IPOs in 2008, the market was up to a still trivial 128 in 2012 (compared to 675 in 1996). Even in most of these cases, the original startup founders were pushed out, or heavily supplemented, with “experienced” executives.
“When A Startup Chooses IPO Most Founders Are Out” via Gust blog
Founders that stick around to lead their company through the IPO are the exception, not the rule…
Source: gust.com