By: AGORACOM

AGORACOM — Sat, 29 Jul 2006 05:57:48 +0000

Hey, Mark. I saw Mathew Ingram comment along the same lines but have to disagree that one comment from Churley sounds the bubble bell. Remember, this is guy being interviewed by Bambi who asked him about all of his exit strategy options, so he was bound to prefer one over another.
What Churley says and what the market may give him in any potential IPO are two very different things. This time around, it is clear the market is no longer rewarding “cool ideas” unless they have a real business model attached to them. As Kedrosky points out on his blog, 17 IPO's have been cancelled over the last couple of months – a strong indication that what VC's and founders want is not what the street is willing to give.
At the end of the day, a couple of rich deals are always going to make their way to the table because greed is always going to look for the next Google. For the most part, however, the only online companies that will successfully IPO in the future are those that have a proven and defensible business.
I don't think any of the social networking sites can satisfy these requirements. They don't deliver services that people are willing to pay for and a new one pops up every minute that could easily displace current leaders.
Given the fact I've proven to myself that I'm not a genius, I have to assume that most of the world's serious investors are thinking along the exact same lines. That means Churley can keep dreaming about an IPO and you don't have to worry about us being in another bubble.
Best,
George

Comments on: It's Bubble Time, Baby

By: AGORACOM