[bri3d]

I bet most answers to this question will conflate IPO problems with simple growth problems, and the two are hard to separate. After all, a constant drive for growth combined with accountability to a public board usually makes strong leadership and strategy challenging - it's easier IMO for public companies to fall into "we must do what is easy to hit our numbers now."

On the flip side of the same coin, the ability to offer liquid equity and essentially pay employees using the company's projected growth (RSU issuance) is often financially lucrative for employees old and new and if done correctly, can attract a different group of really strong people who aren't in a place to take the startup gamble.

[throwaway1492]

Hopefully for their RSU awardees the leadership team doesn't hire a bunch of sales/marketing types, thereby increasing operating costs, and tank the stock price. Mostly the market expects to see continued organic growth in these types of companies. Does anyone have experience here? I've only seen it twice.