An IPO Poster Child

VMware fits the bill and files for a $100 million offering; plus, tech titans Microsoft, IBM, Oracle, SAP and TCS sound off and more software news of the week.

Mourn the software IPO. The last five years have not been kind to fast-growth startups wanting to raise funds in the public markets. In fact, longtime software investor Bill Janeway says the IPO window has actually closed for most companies - except for the rare high-flying exception.

VMware proved itself unique. This week, its parent company, EMC filed for a $100 million IPO to raise funds for the virtual infrastructure software maker to pay back EMC for its new headquarters, and to continue its growth.

VMware exemplifies the new, high standards for tech IPOs - and then some. Revenue hit $704 million last year - an 82 percent increase over 2005. Net income neared $87 million. Cash in the bank totals $176 million. Not bad by any standard.

Only 4 Days to Software 2007!
Register four executives now for $1,695

The industry’s most exciting software business event will take place in 4 days: Software 2007. On May 8 and 9, an estimated 2,000 software CEOs, VPs, investors and professionals will gather in Santa Clara, Calif. to receive the latest strategic business insight from an all-star lineup of speakers and panels.

The key to Software 2007’s success is its in-depth coverage of critical software business issues. Best practices will be shared at the more than 50 breakout sessions on key topics. The Innovation Showcase will put the industry’s top 25 innovators on stage to share their solutions. The 2.0 Pavilion will demonstrate the latest in Web 2.0, Enterprise 2.0 and Office 2.0 offerings. And the most innovative software and services providers from all around the world will be on display in the International Pavilion.

SANDHILL.COM BLOG POST OF THE WEEK:

How to Mitigate the Risks of Offshoring

Akshay Upadhye Offshore outsourcing, like any other strategic initiative, will have its own sets of risks and rewards associated with it. Hence, any organisation that is planning to embrace offshore outsourcing, needs to evaluate the risks and develop a mitigation strategy. This will help that organisation increase its chances of success, despite the fact that something is moving away and will now have to be managed from far.

The first and most important step in risk mitigation is to identify the sources of all risks and their overall impact on the offshore program.

Visit the New 2.0 Pavilion at Software 2007

Whether “Web”,“Enterprise,” or “Office,” the “2.0” movement represents both the next-generation of software solutions and the spirit of innovation in the industry. The 2.0 Pavilion at Software 2007 showcases emerging vendors in the “2.0” space. Software 2007 attendees can visit the vendor booths and also discuss trends during the 2.0 Pavilion Breakout Sessions. Register now for Software 2007!

New Podcast: Meet Software’s Top 25 Innovators

The Innovation Showcase at Software 2007 will display the industry’s most compelling and innovative vendors. Sand Hill Group’s M.R. Rangaswami introduces and discusses the industry’s top 25 innovators with Bruce Fram, the producer of the program in this new podcast from SandHill.com. Click here to listen.

This Week's M&As

Read the full list of recent M&A deals >>

The Week's VC Deals

Read the full list of recent VC deals >>

Software Execs on the Move: April 30, 2007

New executives step up at Adobe, Aveksa, and other software companies.

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