Canada Needs Catalysts to Heat Up IPO Market

Osie Ukwuoma speaks with Law360 about the outlook for Canada’s market for initial public offerings in the coming year. IPO proceeds increased in 2024 compared to the previous year, but are well below Canada's 2021 peak.

He told Law360 that private funding is a big part of a wider trend that enables companies, both startups and more mature enterprises, to stay private longer.

But the need for funding varies by size and industry. While many larger companies are well-capitalized and remain cautious about public valuations, Osie says that smaller companies that have limited options to access to private capital may find an IPO is the "most realistic avenue to both funding and liquidity for investors."