WP Engine hints at IPO with hiring of Bazaarvoice’s Heather Brunner as its COO

thenextweb.com

19 points·cwilson··10 comments

This makes approximately zero sense. The rule of thumb is $100mm in revenue (maybe as low as $50mm in annual, or $75mm in run-rate, if things are growing fast) and 3-5 years operating with revenue for IPO now.

From the figures I've seen, WPEngine is about 1% of that. (EDIT: oops, that was just their first year; didn't realize they've been around since 2010)

I haven't seen any credible news source pushing the "IPO" story here, just a bunch of "weird" news sources (maybe within the wordpress industry niche?) which TNW picked up. Or, a writer at TNW wrote a really breathlessly positive article about a company he personally liked, and threw the IPO thing in to make it interesting.

I'd bet on this being a weird marketing strategy for the WPEngine product; fake IPO rumors around a fairly mundane HR decision to get buzz and customers. If so, well played!

no, we're not going to IPO any time soon. But, we're a lot more than 1% of $100mm in revenue. We actually did $1mm in revenue in our first year, and we're supporting our team growth based on revenue.

Ah, I thought this was your first year. I guess I'm off by a year or two on your growth. (I didn't mean to be particularly critical of WPEngine, just of the "IPO" thing)

"I guess I'm off by a year or two on your growth"

or three :). We've been around for a lot longer than folks realize - just been very "heads-down" building a strong business rather "TechCrunch Hype" focused, etc.

No way. IPO soon? NO WAY.

http://wpdaily.co/wpengine-ipo-rumor/

Congrats on the hire. Best of luck in your growth and success!

Woah. Been hiring a lot recently. Not surprising.

Congrats guys

Wow, movin' and shakin'. Congrats WPE!

Awesome! Congrats everyone!

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