Special purpose acquisition companies, also known as "blank check" companies, have seen a surge in popularity in 2020 as several high-profile companies went public via a SPAC reverse-merger. So far in 2020, there have been 39 SPAC IPOs that have raised gross proceeds of $12.3 billion, according to SPACInsider, nearly eclipsing all SPAC gross proceeds raised in 2019. Here are five important SPACs to keep an eye on in 2020. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Some private companies are taking an unconventional route to going public, and investors should start to take notice.