I've always been skeptical about the claim that Gitlab would prefer going public over a direct purchase. It just sounds like a negotiating tactic intended to ra

I've always been skeptical about the claim that Gitlab would prefer going public over a direct purchase. It just sounds like a negotiating tactic intended to raise first offers. They're going to be a rapid acquisition target by anyone who (a) has lots of cash or valuable shares and (b) isn't Microsoft. Going through the hassle of an IPO, followed by the hassle of being a public company acquired by another public company, seems wasteful.