Milroy has raised capital through private investors and plans a listing in Toronto at the end of the year.

FORBES: Cunning Capitalists Go Blazing Into Biofuels

To finance their ambitions the Singhs are going beyond their bankers, talking to private equity investors and considering a future listing.

FORBES: Pay Dirt

The number of IPOs, too, has increased, but the market is still unreliable, and some private-equity firms have had to delay listing plans for portfolio companies.

ECONOMIST: Back in business but not back to normal

Since listing their equity interests on stock exchanges, these private equity firms have had to become responsive to this new constituency.

FORBES: Private Equity Turns its Eyes towards Underwriting Fees

"The listing allows them flexibility they didn't have as the private arms of the chaebol, " says Dutton.

CNN: Going to the People

Some private equity firms have been able to exit some of their investments by listing them on the stock market amid a stronger IPO environment in the last few months.

FORBES: The Great Private Equity Comeback Is Complete--At Least On Paper

Between 2010 and the end of October, 49 U.S.-listed companies announced their intention to give up their U.S. listing, 19 of which had already completed the process and become private firms, according to investment firm Roth Capital.

WSJ: After Low Pricing, China's YY Gains on Nasdaq