BlackStratus Files For IPO in Data Security (BLKS)

Another data security company’s initial public offering may be on the horizon.  A company called BlackStratus has filed to come public and plans to list its shares under the ticker “BLKS” on the NASDAQ.  No formal terms have been set but the filing is for up to $20 million in common stock.  The sole underwriter was listed as Aegis Capital Corp. on the tombstone.  Here is how the company describes itself:

We are a leading provider of cloud-based security information and event management (SIEM) software solutions deployed and operated by “Security as a Service” (SECaaS) providers of all sizes, government agencies and individual enterprises. Our SIM One technology is used by organizations worldwide to detect, prevent and defend against both major and minor IT security breaches from the end point to the data center, to the “Cloud.”

There is something interesting here that may make some question the IPO outside of the small size.  Revenues shrank to $9.221 million in 2011 from $11.811 million in 2010.  The net loss applicable to shareholders was -$2.693 million in 2011 versus -$3.541 million in 2010.

JON C. OGG