Category fundraising

Why VCs Can’t Fully Exit at IPO — and Why That’s a Good Thing

Two groups of business people meet on a bridge, one side of which is crumbling

Venture capitalists often don't fully exit at IPOs by design, aligning their incentives with public investors. IPOs are transitions, not final exits, ensuring VCs remain accountable post-listing. Lock-in periods protect public shareholders, preventing a "sell the story, not the future" mentality and signaling continued conviction. This structure fosters market trust and benefits founders.