SurveyMonkey to Go Public This Year?

DIY research company SurveyMonkey is expected to go public later this year, according to reports.

Founded in 1999 by Ryan Finley (pictured) and last valued at $2 billion, SurveyMonkey provides customizable survey tools and a suite of programs for data analysis, sample selection, bias elimination and data representation. Its SurveyMonkey Audience platform is currently available to customers in more than 60 countries, supporting over 30 currencies, and offering the ability to send surveys in French, Spanish, Turkish, Chinese and other languages. Meanwhile SurveyMonkey Enterprise offers an enhanced version of the survey product, promising organisations the ability to bring individual users into a centrally managed system.

Online publication Recode, quoting a 'source familiar with the company's plans', says SurveyMonkey has not yet initiated discussions with potential underwriters for a possible IPO, but will do so in the next few months - conversations with Wall Street are 'heating up'. Another source told Recode the company is considering making a 'bolt on' acquisition of a similar company, in order to enhance its own value.

Web site: www.surveymonkey.com .