<p>It is because of the timeline.</p>
<p>It is called a reverse IPO because the SPAC IPOs first as a blank check company (i.e. has a pool of funds). Then it uses that capital to 'merge' with a private company, which effectively takes that company public. Hence &quot;reverse IPO&quot; or &quot;reverse merger&quot;.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-03-14T23:08:05.527Z
I think I understand now. The normal IPO process involves a cash-deprived company listing onto the exchange to raise money. This company has a business/business model and they just need more capital. In the case of SPAC IPO, the sponsor lists itself on the exchange to raise money but it has no business/business model yet. It will later acquire a business through "reverse merger".
Tan Yong Boon
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-03-14T23:09:38.690Z
So to summarize, it is "reverse" as it is "raise capital first, with no business in mind yet", instead of the norm which is "have a business then raise capital to fund that business through the public markets".
Tan Yong Boon
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-03-13T19:03:40.373Z
2021-03-13T19:03:40.373Z
qwerty
<p>A reverse IPO is frequently called as a 'Reverse Takeover' or a 'Reverse Merger.' I believe if you try to comprehend 'Reverse IPO' in itself, you will not find anything convincing. But if you perceive it from the Reverse Takeover or Reverse Merger view, might appear more logical.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-09-12T17:45:05.947Z
2020-09-13T08:08:17.780Z
2020-09-13T08:08:17.780Z
Sahaj
<p>Recently, there has been a lot of hype over a group of companies called &quot;special purpose acquisition companies&quot; (SPACs). SPACs are &quot;shell companies&quot; or &quot;blank check companies&quot; that seek to help privately-held companies raise funds and take them public. SPACs are already publicly-listed so by acquiring the private firm in a &quot;<a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverse_takeover" rel="nofollow noreferrer">reverse IPO</a>&quot; makes the process of going public faster and reduces the costs of the process. However, I am unsure why it bears the name &quot;reverse IPO&quot;. In what way is this process a &quot;reverse&quot; of the normal process?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-09-10T15:56:31.140Z
Google “reverse IPO meaning.” This has nothing to do with the discipline of economics.
Brian Romanchuk
<stock-market><nonexpert>
Why is a "reverse IPO" named as such?
Tan Yong Boon
# Why is a "reverse IPO" named as such?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-09-09)

Recently, there has been a lot of hype over a group of companies called "special purpose acquisition companies" (SPACs). SPACs are "shell companies" or "blank check companies" that seek to help privately-held companies raise funds and take them public. SPACs are already publicly-listed so by acquiring the private firm in a "[reverse IPO](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverse_takeover)" makes the process of going public faster and reduces the costs of the process. However, I am unsure why it bears the name "reverse IPO". In what way is this process a "reverse" of the normal process?

**Tags:** stock-market, nonexpert

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Google “reverse IPO meaning.” This has nothing to do with the discipline of economics.  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2021-03-13. Score: 1 | Accepted answer

It is because of the timeline.

It is called a reverse IPO because the SPAC IPOs first as a blank check company (i.e. has a pool of funds). Then it uses that capital to 'merge' with a private company, which effectively takes that company public. Hence "reverse IPO" or "reverse merger".

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: I think I understand now. The normal IPO process involves a cash-deprived company listing onto the exchange to raise money. This company has a business/business model and they just need more capital. In the case of SPAC IPO, the sponsor lists itself on the exchange to raise money but it has no business/business model yet. It will later acquire a business through "reverse merger".  
> **username_0**: So to summarize, it is "reverse" as it is "raise capital first, with no business in mind yet", instead of the norm which is "have a business then raise capital to fund that business through the public markets".  

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### Answer by username_3 on 2020-09-12. Score: 0

A reverse IPO is frequently called as a 'Reverse Takeover' or a 'Reverse Merger.' I believe if you try to comprehend 'Reverse IPO' in itself, you will not find anything convincing. But if you perceive it from the Reverse Takeover or Reverse Merger view, might appear more logical.


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