Rumours mount of 2e2 IPO

FT reports suggest integrator is one of a number of channel firms considering going public

Stock answer: a raft of channel players could go public this year

Integrator 2e2 is giving serious thought to floating publicly, according to reports in the Financial Times (FT).

The FT claims the Newbury-based VAR is one of a swathe of UK tech firms considering undertaking an initial public offering (IPO) this year. The company has been owned by private equity firm Duke Street Capital since September 2006, when it was acquired in a £130m deal.

Other channel firms rumoured to be on the verge of going public include AV vendor Promethean. The FT claims an IPO announcement could materialise as early as next month, with the company projected to be worth up to £500m.

Security vendor Sophos may also be considering taking a second bite of the public cherry after backing away from a planned IPO in December 2007. The Oxfordshire-based vendor is part-owned by investment house TA Associates, which also bought a $200m stake in AVG Technologies in October.

The Newark-based anti-virus specialist is also rumoured to be weighing up a public flotation. The FT claims the likelihood of such a move will increase if Sophos floats successfully.