The year 2004 marked a significant period for initial public offerings (IPOs), with 216 companies going public and raising a combined total of approximately $45.9 billion. This year saw the debut of several tech giants and innovative startups that would go on to shape various industries. Let’s explore some of the most notable companies that had their IPO in 2004.
Top 15 Companies That Went Public in 2004
1. Google (GOOG)
- IPO Date: August 19, 2004
- IPO Price: $85
- Valuation: $23 billion
Google, now a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., revolutionized internet search and digital advertising. The company’s IPO was one of the most anticipated and successful in history.
2. Salesforce (CRM)
- IPO Date: June 23, 2004
- IPO Price: $11
- Valuation: $1.1 billion
Salesforce pioneered cloud-based customer relationship management software, transforming how businesses manage customer interactions and data.
3. DreamWorks Animation (DWA)
- IPO Date: October 28, 2004
- IPO Price: $28
- Valuation: $2.9 billion
DreamWorks Animation, known for blockbuster animated films like Shrek and Madagascar, went public as a separate entity from DreamWorks Studios.
4. Domino’s Pizza (DPZ)
- IPO Date: July 13, 2004
- IPO Price: $14
- Valuation: $960 million
Domino’s Pizza, one of the world’s largest pizza delivery chains, went public to fuel its expansion and modernization efforts.
5. Build-A-Bear Workshop (BBW)
- IPO Date: October 28, 2004
- IPO Price: $20
- Valuation: $474 million
Build-A-Bear Workshop offers an interactive retail experience where customers can create customized stuffed animals.
6. Morningstar (MORN)
- IPO Date: May 3, 2004
- IPO Price: $18.50
- Valuation: $924 million
Morningstar provides investment research and management services to individual and institutional investors.
7. Volterra Semiconductor (VLTR)
- IPO Date: July 29, 2004
- IPO Price: $8
- Valuation: $186 million
Volterra Semiconductor designed, developed, and marketed analog and mixed-signal power management semiconductors.
8. Atheros Communications (ATHR)
- IPO Date: February 12, 2004
- IPO Price: $14
- Valuation: $540 million
Atheros Communications, later acquired by Qualcomm, developed semiconductor system solutions for wireless communications products.
9. Blackboard Inc. (BBBB)
- IPO Date: June 18, 2004
- IPO Price: $14
- Valuation: $400 million
Blackboard Inc. provided enterprise technology and solutions for the education industry.
10. Cogent Communications (CCOI)
- IPO Date: September 23, 2004
- IPO Price: $16
- Valuation: $760 million
Cogent Communications is a multinational internet service provider specializing in delivering high-speed Internet access and point-to-point transport services.
11. Shopping.com (SHOP)
- IPO Date: October 25, 2004
- IPO Price: $18
- Valuation: $750 million
Shopping.com operated as a price comparison service website, later acquired by eBay.
12. Lindows/Linspire (LINE)
- IPO Date: August 12, 2004
- IPO Price: $15
- Valuation: $160 million
Lindows, later renamed Linspire, developed a Linux-based operating system designed to be user-friendly for desktop computers.
13. Shanda Interactive Entertainment (SNDA)
- IPO Date: May 13, 2004
- IPO Price: $11
- Valuation: $538 million
Shanda Interactive Entertainment was a Chinese online game developer and operator.
14. Marchex (MCHX)
- IPO Date: March 31, 2004
- IPO Price: $6.50
- Valuation: $175 million
Marchex is a mobile advertising analytics company that drives calls and sales for businesses.
15. Travelzoo (TZOO)
- IPO Date: December 30, 2003 (first trading day in 2004)
- IPO Price: $6
- Valuation: $81 million
Travelzoo is a global Internet media company that provides travel, entertainment, and local deals.
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले प्रश्नों
How many companies had their IPO in 2004?
In 2004, 216 companies went public, raising a combined total of approximately $45.9 billion.
Which company had the largest IPO in 2004?
Google (now Alphabet Inc.) had the largest and most notable IPO in 2004, raising around $1.67 billion with a valuation of $23 billion.
Did any of these companies use unique IPO strategies?
A: Yes, Google notably used a Dutch auction process for its IPO, which allowed individual investors to participate in the offering.
How did the 2004 IPO market compare to previous years?
The 2004 IPO market showed significant growth compared to 2003. The number of US issuer IPOs increased from 61 in 2003 to 171 in 2004, with gross proceeds more than tripling from $9.1 billion to $30.3 billion.
Are all these companies still publicly traded?
While many of these companies are still publicly traded, some have been acquired or gone private since their 2004 IPO. For example, DreamWorks Animation was acquired by NBCUniversal in 2016[1].
