SpaceX CEO Elon Musk Walks Back Starlink IPO Talk. What's The Hold-up?

With the massive growth of Tesla Inc. and its stock since its initial public offering (IPO) on June 29, 2010, investors have one question on their mind: When will CEO Elon Musk take another company public?

While there's a lot of gray area, many people believe that SpaceX will IPO its satellite internet business Starlink in 2024.

But hold on. Musk recently replied to a post on his social media platform X calling all of these talks premature. This is in line with previous comments about his intentions of listing Starlink once revenue growth and cash flow become more predictable. 

Waiting for a company to IPO can feel like a lifetime, as you never know what the future will bring. From the economy to market changes to internal challenges, timelines change. 

Rather than wait for an IPO to come to life, a growing number of investors are taking the crowdfunding route. Investing in startups allows you to add alternative investments to your portfolio with one of the fastest-growing asset classes. 

Read about startups with big potential for future growth:

• The startup behind the best-rated weather app with over 50 million users is seeking your investment.
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How Predictable Is Predictable?

Musk has made it clear that an IPO won't come until Starlink’s revenue growth and cash flow are more predictable. Nobody knows exactly what that means, but he made a big announcement on X earlier this month. 

"Excited to announce that @SpaceX @Starlink has achieved breakeven cash flow! Excellent work by a great team," Musk posted.  "Starlink is also now a majority of all active satellites and will have launched a majority of all satellites cumulatively from Earth by next year."

In 2015, SpaceX’s projections for its satellite division estimated $12 billion in revenue and $7 billion in operating profit by 2022. Although now at a breakeven point, it has fallen short of these forecasts.

SpaceX’s financial details are elusive, unlike Tesla's, Musk’s publicly traded company. Valued at $150 billion, SpaceX operates privately, adding to the challenge of assessing its financial health.

Starlink operates with satellites in low-Earth orbit. According to a recent update, Starlink is available in over 60 countries, serving 2 million customers, with around 5,000 satellites launched.

Musk often keeps information close to the vest. Combined with the fact that Starlink’s finances are private, there's no way of knowing whether the company will IPO in 2024. 

As you wait, keep a close eye on the company, the market and other investments that align with your overarching strategy. 

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