In a development born of the government shutdown, the SEC announced Thursday that companies can proceed with IPOs using an obscure automatic approval process, now with the added bonus of skipping pricing information entirely. What's happening is that with 90% of SEC staff furloughed, startups can file their paperwork and have it automatically become effective after 20 days. This option always existed; firms just rarely use it because they prefer having SEC reviewers actually look at their disclosures before going public.
Wealthfront Corporation was founded 17 years ago, in 2008. It is headquartered in Palo Alto, California, and is led by CEO David Fortunato. The company is one of a number of fintech firms that operate in the robo-advisor space. It offers a financial platform and dedicated smartphone app that allow users to invest in various assets, including stocks and bonds. The company also offers cash accounts and automated index investing.
As the rise of artificial intelligence continues, companies operating in this space or relying on the technology are finding that they have two inextricable needs: data centers that can run and process the AI, and access to ample energy to power those vast data centers. One new company, Fermi America, aims to offer solutions for both these needs. And this week, Fermi announced its plans for an upcoming initial public offering and dual stock listings.
Blockchain lender Figure Technology is the latest crypto company to go public. On Thursday, Figure debuted on the Nasdaq after raising $787.5 million in its IPO. The company's shares listed at $25 but soared almost 30% to trade at $32 Thursday afternoon. That means the company, whose ticker is FIGR, is trading at about a $6 billion valuation. Founded in 2018, Figure's business centers around putting mortgages on the blockchain, which the company says speeds up the granting and funding of home loans.
Firefly Aerospace Inc. is a space and defense technology company based in Cedar Park, Texas, specializing in space launch and landing capabilities, including small- to medium-lift launch vehicles and lunar landers.
Black Rock Coffee Bar has confidentially filed for an initial public offering in New York, targeting a valuation exceeding $1 billion. This will mark the first IPO from a U.S. coffee company since 2022.
