Here’s an interesting stat from a M&A update I received in my inbox a few days ago:

Since 2000, the ratio of technology companies sold vs. going public is 10:1 (1,300 m&a deals vs just 125 IPOs). 

The moral of the story – be realistic.  If you run a software company you are WAY more likely to sell your business than to go public.  Time to start planning . . . now.