VCs: Can't see an IPO or acquisition for your startup? Don't throw in the towel

There surely must be an alternative to the two preferred exits for VC-backed startups – IPO or acquisition – in these times of near-VC funding drought and what seems like IPO fatigue. It used to be simple: build a storage startup that could take money and customers from the mainstream vendors, sit back and wait for competitors to come running with open wallets or bankers singing songs of IPO riches. Acquisition was more certain and we have seen round after round of acquisitions. In no particular order: #EqualLogic, #3PAR, #Compellent, #DataDomain, #CleverSafe, #Storwize, #TMS, #XtremIO, #DSSD, #SolidFire, and many more. IPOs in the storage space have been fewer, and many have been problematic. #ViolinMemory is still fighting the problems that came with it to its IPO. #Nimble Storage has had its hiccup. #PureStorage still has everything to prove and has had a mini-hiccup. #Nexsan tried and tried again for an IPO and was eventually acquired by Imation, where it is now the core product line. #Nutanix has filed for an IPO but delayed it. Why is the storage IPO scene such a troubled one?

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/07/19/the_third_way/