LinkedIn co-founder sees IPO likely, but not soon

LinkedIn, the world’s biggest professional social network, will probably pursue an initial public offering some time but not in the near future, co-founder and executive chairman Reid Hoffman told Reuters.

“Probably at some point a balance will occur when that’s the right thing. That will not occur in the near term,” Mr. Hoffman said at a London event to celebrate the network’s reaching 3 million users in Britain.

LinkedIn, with 53 million members around the world, is seen as a strong IPO candidate, especially as the market starts to pick up. A recent Reuters poll found it one of the Silicon Valley companies most eligible to go public.

The network – which allows members to manage their professional profiles online, helping them find key business contacts or new jobs — raised $76 million in its last funding round in 2008, then valuing the company at $1 billion.

LinkedIn co-founder sees IPO likely, but not soon...