StubHub's Successful IPO and Its Impact on the Ticket Marketplace Industry

StubHub is a leading online ticket exchange and resale company, operating globally across more than 90 countries. Founded in 2000 by Eric Baker and Jeff Fluhr, it revolutionized the secondary ticket market by providing a platform where users can buy and sell tickets for live events, including sports, concerts, theater performances, and festivals[2][3]. ### History and Key Achievements - **Early Years**: Founded as a peer-to-peer ticket resale platform, StubHub quickly gained popularity and was acquired by eBay in 2007 for $310 million[3]. - **Expansion and Merger**: In 2020, eBay sold StubHub to Viagogo for $4.05 billion. However, due to regulatory intervention, StubHub's North American business was separated from Viagogo in 2021[3]. - **IPO and Growth**: StubHub completed its initial public offering (IPO) in September 2025, raising $800 million at a valuation of $8.6 billion. This marked a significant milestone in its journey as an independent entity[3]. ### Current Status and Notable Aspects - **Business Model**: StubHub operates as a two-sided marketplace, charging both buyer and seller fees, typically ranging from 10-15% for buyers and 5-10% for sellers[1]. This model allows for high margins and scalability without inventory risks[1]. - **Technology and Innovation**: StubHub uses advanced technology, including generative AI tools, to enhance buyer conversion rates and match buyers with sellers effectively[6]. The platform also provides interactive venue maps and support for planning events[2]. - **Competitive Landscape**: StubHub faces competition from Ticketmaster, Vivid Seats, and SeatGeek but remains a dominant player in the secondary ticket market[2]. ### Notable Aspects - **Global Reach**: With over 120 million ticket buyers annually, StubHub is accessible via websites and mobile apps, offering a wide

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), often called the "Big Board," is the world’s largest and most influential stock exchange, serving as a cornerstone of global finance. Founded in 1792 with the signing of the Buttonwood Agreement by 24 brokers under a tree on Wall Street, the NYSE began as an informal gathering of merchants trading securities. By 1817, it was formally organized as the New York Stock and Exchange Board, adopting a constitution that established rules and order for trading. The exchange moved into its first permanent home in 1865 and adopted its current name in 1863. Throughout its history, the NYSE has been a pioneer in financial innovation. It introduced the stock ticker in 1867, revolutionizing how market data was disseminated, and saw the creation of the Dow Jones Industrial Average in 1896, which remains a key market benchmark. The exchange has weathered major economic events, including the Panic of 1907 and the Great Depression, and has continually adapted to technological advances, from telegraph communications to digital trading platforms. Today, the NYSE operates as a global marketplace for equities, bonds, and exchange-traded funds, listing many of the world’s largest and most recognized companies. It is renowned for its rigorous listing standards and its iconic trading floor, which blends tradition with modern technology. The NYSE’s merger with the American Stock Exchange in 2008 further solidified its position as a leader in financial markets, offering a broad range of products and services. Notable for its historical significance and ongoing influence, the NYSE remains a symbol of financial resilience and innovation, shaping the way businesses raise capital and investors participate in the global economy.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations, established in 1948, with a mandate to promote global health, coordinate international responses to public health threats, and set standards for health policies and interventions[2]. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, WHO operates in over 150 countries, working with governments, NGOs, and other partners to advance health equity, strengthen health systems, and respond to health emergencies. ## What WHO Does WHO’s core activities include monitoring global health trends, setting international health standards, providing technical assistance to countries, and serving as a forum for scientific and policy discussions on health issues[2]. The organization publishes influential reports such as the annual **World Health Statistics**, which tracks progress toward Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and provides a global “health report card”[1][8]. WHO also maintains the Model List of Essential Medicines, guiding countries on which drugs are most critical for public health[7]. In addition, WHO leads global campaigns on issues ranging from infectious disease eradication to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), maternal and child health, and health emergencies[2][6]. ## History and Key Achievements WHO’s history is marked by landmark achievements, including the eradication of smallpox, near-eradication of polio, and the development of an Ebola vaccine[2]. The organization played a pivotal role in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, coordinating global research, vaccine distribution, and public health guidance. In May 2025, WHO member states adopted the world’s first **Pandemic Agreement**, a historic step to improve international coordination and equity in future health crises[4]. WHO also spearheads initiatives like the Triple Billion Targets (healthier lives, universal health coverage, and protection from health emergencies) and technical policy packages targeting tobacco, alcohol, salt, and trans fat reduction[1][2]. ## Current Status and Notable Aspects WHO is currently implementing its **Fou