Small-cap IPOs are coming back, and fast. After years of stalled deals and weak listings, the first quarter of 2025 has already produced 56 new IPOs, an 80 percent increase compared to the same period last year. That is a meaningful shift after two years of companies staying private, waiting for market conditions to improve.

This is not a one-off blip. Companies that held back during the post-pandemic slowdown are now stepping forward. And investors are responding.

From Drought to Momentum

In 2021, IPOs were booming with over 1,000 listings as stimulus money flooded the market. By 2024, that number had dropped to barely 130. This year's activity points to something more than just pent-up supply. It suggests the window is reopening.

The Russell 2000 is up nearly 14 percent year to date, outperforming the S&P 500, which has gained just over 10 percent. Institutional capital is beginning to rotate back into smaller, high-growth names.

What Is Fueling the Change

With the Federal Reserve stepping back from its rate hike cycle, financing conditions are finally less restrictive. That makes it easier for startups to pursue public listings. Private companies that were once hesitant are now looking to move while investor sentiment is improving.

Private equity and venture capital firms are also pushing the trend. Many had been stuck holding investments longer than expected. Now, with market interest returning, they are aiming to exit at valuations that make sense again.

Sectors Leading the Wave

Technology remains the anchor of the IPO rebound. Companies focused on AI infrastructure, cybersecurity, and digital platforms are drawing significant attention. One of the most closely watched IPOs is CoreWeave, a cloud firm serving the AI ecosystem. If it performs well, it could encourage others to follow.

Fintech is also making a comeback. Swedish firm Klarna is rumored to be preparing a U.S. listing in 2025. After years of losses and regulatory pressure, the space is showing signs of life as capital becomes more available.

Biotech is gaining momentum too. Many early-stage biotech companies rely heavily on IPO funding to fuel research. With sentiment improving and risk tolerance returning, several are preparing to list after a long wait on the sidelines.

Risks That Still Matter

Despite the momentum, IPOs at this stage come with risks. The biggest is valuation. Many of these companies are still early in their development. Revenue forecasts may be ambitious, but profitability often remains far off. If results do not meet projections, early investors could see steep losses.

Liquidity is another concern. Small-cap IPOs typically trade at lower volumes. That makes them more volatile and sensitive to short-term sentiment shifts. In 2021, IPOs gained an average of 41 percent on their first day of trading. In 2022, that number dropped to just six percent. The business models didn't change. Market psychology did.

Investors also need to watch for lock-up periods. These prevent early investors and insiders from selling shares for several months after the IPO. When those expire, many look to cash out, which can trigger a sharp drop in share price. That pattern caught a lot of retail investors off guard during the last IPO cycle.

It is not 2021. No one should expect overnight 10x returns. But for investors who are prepared to research the fundamentals, assess risk, and move selectively, this environment offers real opportunity.

Some of these companies will become industry leaders. Others will fade. The difference will come down to who does the homework and who gets caught chasing the next big thing without understanding what they are buying.