Mobile Ad-Tech Firm Liftoff Files Confidentially for IPO
Liftoff Mobile, Inc., a mobile advertising technology company, announced that it has confidentially submitted a draft registration statement on Form S-1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The filing is for a proposed initial public offering of its common stock.
- On February 17, 2026, Liftoff Mobile officially withdrew its plans for an initial public offering, citing a sell-off in technology stocks and "challenging market conditions." The withdrawal followed an earlier postponement of the IPO in the face of investor concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence on the software sector. - The company had planned to raise approximately $711 million by offering 25.4 million shares at a price range of $26 to $30. This would have resulted in a valuation of up to $5.17 billion. - Liftoff's S-1 filing revealed a significant debt load of more than $1.85 billion. For the 12 months ending September 30, 2025, the company generated $634 million in revenue. - The current iteration of the company was formed through the 2021 merger of two mobile ad-tech firms, Liftoff and Vungle, a deal engineered by private equity firm Blackstone. Blackstone acquired Vungle in 2019 and invested in Liftoff in 2020, and was set to remain the majority shareholder after the IPO. - While the offering has been withdrawn, a company spokesperson indicated a full intention to "pursue the public markets when timing and conditions best support our long-term vision," and some reports suggest a new filing could come later in 2026.
