Uber may go public in 12-18 months as its revenue nears $2 billion

According to an investor presentation that was recently leaked to Reuters, Uber’s total bookings is expected to reach $10.84 billion this year, a nearly threefold increase over last year that’s expected to more than double to $26.12 billion next year. This means that the 20% cut of every transaction that the company takes should earn Uber around $2 billion in revenue this year. While the company hasn’t confirmed these leaks, the fact that it they were first reported by Reuters definitely lends them a lot of weight, one of which claims that Uber is expecting an IPO in about 12-18 months. 

Uber Technologies Inc’s global bookings are projected to rise nearly threefold to $10.84 billion this year and reach $26.12 billion the next, according to a recent presentation for potential investors seen by Reuters. The ride-hailing service, which operates in over 50 countries, keeps 20 percent of booking revenue, showed a confidential slideshow prepared by Chinese bankers with input from Uber, aimed at soliciting investment in a fund participating in Uber’s Series F financing. Based on those figures, 2015 revenue would be roughly $2 billion, according to a Reuters calculation. A spokeswoman at Uber’s San Francisco headquarters, when asked about the presentation, said the company does not comment on “rumor and speculation.” The undated presentation featuring data from as recently as June offers a glimpse of the explosive growth of the six-year-old firm, last valued by investors at $50 billion – the most for a privately held technology firm worldwide. Uber links passengers and drivers via apps, earning revenue Chief Executive Travis Kalanick last year said was doubling every six months. But its services have been banned in several cities where, for instance, drivers have not held commercial licenses. It has said it is working with authorities to lift the bans.