The Decline of Public Companies and its Impact on Capital Markets

The decline in the number of public companies over the past 20 years has implications for the public markets and the infrastructure supporting them. The decrease in public companies has resulted in a reduction of research analyst coverage, visibility, and checks and balances. Without the supporting infrastructure, simply increasing the number of public companies may not solve the problem. It's a catch 22 situation where the lack of M&A necessitates more IPOs, which in turn requires additional resources and revenue generation by banks. The lack of a clear solution could lead to reduced motivation to invest in the innovation economy and smaller investment amounts, affecting entrepreneurs and potential VC rewards. As a result, entrepreneurs may need to consider alternative ways to capitalize their businesses.