Founders + Leaders: IPO Readiness - The IPO Process with Nasdaq

TL;DR

Nasdaq experts provide valuable insights and advice on key considerations and preparations for companies planning to go public through an IPO, direct listing, or business combination.

Transcript

thank you for joining the ggv ipo boot camp i'm karen snow head of east coast listings at nasdaq and it's my great pleasure to be joined by jay heller nasdaq's ipo execution officer and joe brantuck nasdaq's chief client officer to provide some behind-the-scenes thoughts and advice as you think about accessing the public markets so joe let's start ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🍭 Companies should start preparing for their IPO 14 to 24 months in advance, focusing on systems, processes, and investor relations.
• 🗯️ Choosing the right bankers and law firms is critical for a successful IPO and SEC approval.
• 💍 An investor relations program is necessary to engage with the investment community effectively.
• 🧑‍🏭 The exchange decision should consider factors such as execution, investor relations support, branding opportunities, economics, and brand alignment.
• 🐕‍🦺 Nasdaq provides tools and services to help companies build effective investor relations programs.
• 🤨 Direct listings offer the opportunity to go public without raising capital, while IPOs involve raising capital through an offering price.
• 👨‍💼 Stacks or business combinations provide the opportunity to find partners and expand the business.

Questions & Answers

Q: When should companies start preparing for their IPO?

Companies should start thinking about operating as a publicly traded entity 14 to 24 months before their IPO, focusing on systems, processes, and investor relations.

Q: What are the key considerations when choosing bankers and law firms for an IPO?

It is crucial to select bankers who understand the company's story and space, as they will help differentiate the story to the investment community. Law firms are important for SEC approval and drafting the S1.

Q: How important is building an investor relations program before going public?

An investor relations program is essential for engaging with the investment community. It includes regulatory items like an IR website and press releases, as well as messaging, targeting, and measuring success of investor engagement.

Q: What factors should companies consider when making an exchange decision?

Companies should consider execution, investor relations support, branding opportunities, economics, and brand alignment when choosing an exchange for their IPO.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Companies should start thinking about operating as a publicly traded entity 14 to 24 months before their IPO, focusing on systems, processes, and investor relations.

• Choosing the right bankers and law firms is crucial for a successful IPO, as they help with story differentiation and SEC approval.

• Companies should set up a robust investor relations program, including an IR website, press releases, and metrics to measure engagement with the investment community.

• The exchange decision is important, considering factors such as execution, investor relations support, branding opportunities, economics, and brand alignment.