By Gareth Smyth, CEO of M&A advisory and business finance firm Hilton Smythe For business owners who have built successful companies, the question of exit strategy inevitably arises. While selling often dominates the conversation, there’s another route that deserves serious consideration: taking your company public through an initial public offering (IPO). Even for businesses valued less than £20 million, an IPO can be a viable option with the right preparation and professional advice.