The IPO Boom of 2003: Companies that Had Their IPOs in 2003

1 minutes reading time
Published 26 Jun 2023
Reviewed by: Peter Westberg
Updated 8 Feb 2024

The early 2000s were marked by economic recovery following the dot-com bubble and the events of 9/11. It was in this context that several notable companies went public in 2003, setting the stage for further growth and innovation in various sectors. Below, we will revisit the most remarkable companies that had their IPO in 2003 and explore the IPO landscape of the subsequent years.

Companies that Had Their IPOs in 2003

Some of the most notable companies that went public in the United States in 2003 include:

  • FormFactor: This semiconductor company, which specializes in advanced wafer probe cards, had its IPO in June 2003. The company raised approximately $84 million, and its shares soared more than 40% on their first day of trading.

  • InterMune: A biotechnology company focused on developing therapies for respiratory and orphan diseases, InterMune went public in February 2003, raising around $118 million.

  • iPayment: iPayment, a provider of payment processing solutions for small and medium-sized businesses, had its IPO in May 2003. The company raised over $84 million, and its shares gained nearly 20% on the first day of trading.

  • PlanetOut: An online media company targeting the LGBTQ+ community, PlanetOut went public in October 2003, raising about $12 million.

  • RedEnvelope: An online retailer specializing in upscale gifts, RedEnvelope made its market debut in August 2003, raising nearly $30 million.

The Best IPO of 2003

While there were several successful IPOs in 2003, FormFactor stood out as one of the best, as the company not only raised a significant amount of capital but also saw its share price rise dramatically on the first day of trading. This success reflected the company's strong fundamentals and the growing demand for semiconductor technology at the time.

IPO Landscape in 2004 and 2005

Following the IPO boom of 2003, the momentum continued in 2004, with several high-profile companies going public. One such example is Google (now Alphabet Inc.), which held its IPO in August 2004, raising $1.9 billion and quickly becoming one of the most successful IPOs in history.

As for the number of IPOs in 2004, there were 233 IPOs in the United States, according to data from the Washington Post. This was a significant increase from the 92 IPOs in 2003, signalling a positive shift in market sentiment and the growth of various industries.

In 2005, the number of IPOs in the United States slightly decreased to 211, but it still represented a relatively healthy IPO market compared to the early 2000s.

In Conclusion

2003 was an important year for IPOs, with several remarkable companies going public and setting the stage for further growth in the years to come. As an investor, it's crucial to stay informed about the IPO landscape and the performance of companies that have recently gone public.


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