ExtremeVibeChecker44 profile picture
ExtremeVibeChecker44 profile picture

ExtremeVibeChecker44

Inside Sales

Arsonist
Valued Contributor
Catalyst
+5

How much does a potential IPO affect your odds of joining a company?

I've been interviewing with a few companies today planning to go public relatively soon. They all seem super jazzed about it. I've been at a company when it IPO'd, and I made a shitload of money off it, but I know there's plenty of busts too.


When evaluating a potential sales job, how much do y'all consider potential IPO moolah?

💰 Compensation
👥 Hiring
💸 Investing
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poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
6
☕️
Until that S-1 is filed, it's all a twinkle in the eye of the CEO. Every company that gets a Series A is an "IPO Hopeful".
UrAssIsSaaS
Arsonist
4
SaaS Eater
It's like trying to win a 10 team parlay. Your odds are low from the start but if you take a bunch of heavy favorites you give yourself a slightly better chance. (ie join a company thats series D with legit product market fit and revenue growing 50-100% YoY.

Anything earlier than that is taking more dogs in your 10 - teamer and you're just less likely to see that money. Its a nice to have for me but the earlier you go in the orgs life the less likely you are to ever see that money. 
Sunbunny31
Politicker
4
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
Been out of the IPO game for years, and didn't even take it into consideration when I jumped from my well-established publicly traded company.   

That said, if I had to jump again, I'd look at IPO potential as a lottery ticket and give it exactly as much weight as I do to lottery tickets when I'm doing my personal financial planning.
TennisandSales
Politicker
3
Head Of Sales
Since I am an IC and not a director or VP every single other item would have to be the same for me to make a decision based on potential IPO. 

everyone gets all horny about being Pre IPO but most ppl should just focus on where they can be the most successful and make the most sales. 

glad to hear you are one of the few to hit it big time! 
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
2
☕️
YES.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
2
🦊
It's not a reality I factor in since you have no idea wtf will happen. 
braintank
Politicker
1
Enterprise Account Executive
it's a nice to have. although if you join in the immediate run-up (i.e. 6 months) to IPO you're unlikely to get equity. 

I'd take IPO plans with a grain of salt. Most startups will tell you they're planning to IPO. It's the end state. 
SADNESSLieutenant
Politicker
0
Officer of ♥️
I consider the fuckery to come with it more so, money aint shit when I'm begging for another job
Pachacuti
Politicker
0
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
I used to consider it, now I don't.

IPOs, or the rumor one, can be great for morale though.  But its a double edged sword.  Investors will be looking at the latest numbers, headcount scrutinized, every dollar over analyzed.  The "good ol days" in that company are over.

looper1010
Celebrated Contributor
0
Solutions Specialist
Like winning the lotto 

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