An IPO is a major inflection point in the life of a growing, privately held business. While taking a company public in Canada markets is a complex and challenging process, the benefits often outweigh the downsides for many private company owners and executives.

Canadian companies are going public at an astounding pace, raising $2.9-billion from 16 initial public offerings in the first half of the year, and experts say investors are hungry for more IPOs than corporations are willing to provide.