A Look Back: Companies that Made Market Debut in 2011

1 minutes reading time
Published 11 Aug 2023
Reviewed by: Peter Westberg
Updated 7 Feb 2024

2011 was a momentous year for companies stepping into the public market. With a mix of tech giants and other sectors, investors were presented with a range of opportunities to participate in. Let's dive into some of the companies that had their IPO in 2011 and explore this dynamic period in the stock market.

Companies that had their IPO in 2011

The year had many important public offerings. Here are some of the companies that made headlines:

Linkedin (Acquired by Microsoft in 2016): One of the first major social networks to go public, LinkedIn's IPO set the stage for others in the social media sector. Their debut was successful, raising a considerable amount and setting a trend for tech-based IPOs that year.

Groupon: The daily deal platform was all the rage in the early 2010s, and its public offering was no exception. Although Groupon faced challenges post-IPO, its initial launch generated substantial interest.

Zynga: Known for its addictive online games like FarmVille, Zynga's stock market debut brought attention to the potential of gaming companies in the stock market landscape.

Dunkin' Brands (Acquired by Inspire Brands in 2020): The parent company of Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins made a sweet entrance into the market this year, reinforcing that not only tech companies were making waves in 2011.

Pandora Media (Acquired by Sirius XM in 2019): The music streaming service tapped into the growing trend of online music platforms and decided to go public in 2011, highlighting the digital shift in the music industry.

What was the largest IPO in 2011?

2011 was undeniably a big year for tech, but when it came to the largest IPO, it was the commodities sector that took the crown. Glencore International, a commodities trading and mining company, had the most significant public offering that year. It raised nearly $10 billion in its IPO, marking it as the standout in terms of sheer size.

Tech IPOs in 2011

Alongside the aforementioned LinkedIn, Groupon, Zynga, and Pandora, other tech companies that made their public debut included:

Yandex: Often referred to as "Russia's Google," this search engine giant tapped into the stock market, solidifying its position as a leading tech company outside the U.S.

Renren: Dubbed "China's Facebook," this social networking platform's IPO was indicative of the growing tech prominence in Asia and the global interest in social media platforms.

A Glimpse into 2010

To provide a more comprehensive overview, it's worth noting some companies that went public just a year before, in 2010. That year was highlighted by the IPOs of Tesla, bringing electric vehicles to the forefront, and General Motors, marking a significant comeback post-bankruptcy.

In Conclusion

Reviewing the list of companies that went public in 2011 provides a snapshot of the market dynamics and investor inclinations during that period. Tech companies were big, but other areas were strong too. This year highlighted the rise of digital while also valuing old-style businesses, making the coming years interesting to watch.


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