Conor Brophy: Vice Media’s alternative output has long attracted investment from established media giants

Now, with $450m from venture capitalists TPG, an IPO may be on the cards

Vice co-founder Shane Smith Pic: Getty

Announcing a $450 million investment from venture capital firm TPG, Vice co-founder Shane Smith gave a strong hint that the company is heading for an initial public offering (IPO) of its shares.

This latest investment values Vice at $5.7 billion, 42.5 per cent higher than the $4 billion valuation put on the company as recently as December 2015. At that time its main backers were other media companies including Disney and 21st Century ...