2009 Venture-Backed IPO!

Last Updated on March 25, 2026 by Ryan Roberts

It is bound to happen eventually, right? A venture-backed company will break the drought and find an exit via IPO. Well, OpenTable filed with the SEC and is looking to raise up to $40MM in an initial public offering. If successful, OpenTable will be the first venture-backed IPO in several months.

There were only 6 venture-backed IPOs in 2008 and the common thought is that 2009 won’t do much better. So an early 2009 venture-backed IPO could bode well…but of course registering for an IPO doesn’t always mean the IPO goes through. At least 36 venture-backed companies cancelled their IPO plans in 2008.

As for OpenTable, I remember using its online restaurant reservation system in 2000 while living in San Francisco. Who knew I was an early adopter?

Ryan Roberts Partner

Ryan Roberts is a startup and venture capital attorney and partner at Roberts Zimmerman PLLC with more than two decades of experience advising high‑growth startups and venture capital investors. He is the author of Acceleration: What All Entrepreneurs Must Know About Startup Law and StartupLawyer.com

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