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New Rules for the New Internet Bubble

Steve Blank

The Golden Age (1970 – 1995): Build a growing business with a consistently profitable track record (after at least 5 quarters,) and go public when it’s time. Dot.com Bubble ( 1995-2000): “ Anything goes” as public markets clamor for ideas, vague promises of future growth, and IPOs happen absent regard for history or profitability.

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E&Y Journey 2011, The Great Debate: Go Public or Stay Private

VC Cafe

There were over 2000 participants and around 100 speakers from all over the world. Representatives from banks, VCs, publicly traded companies, and local startups showed up to the “gala event.” An ipo is not really an exit, it is a liquidity event. Do companies know what your business actually is?

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