History would suggest that the market will re-open unevenly, with some potentially short windows available, for companies that are ready to take advantage of them. Companies may need to be ready to access IPO windows at short notice, rather than begin their IPO journey when markets begin to open up - early preparation is therefore paramount.
There are many ways to go public (IPO, SPAC, direct listing). Although the goal of being public is the same, companies need to understand the nuances of each option. Key questions include:
Further, the IPO journey does not stop at the IPO itself. Companies need to ensure that they have the people, processes and systems across functions to be ready for the rigours of public markets.
Management should therefore undertake a public company readiness assessment well ahead of going public to address their readiness and evaluate steps required to achieve a successful transition to a public company and be prepared to meet shareholder and market expectations from Day 1. Such a readiness exercise will need to cover the following key areas:
As challenging as the process can be, as noted above, the IPO itself is simply a milestone in a company’s life cycle and being public should be the mindset from readiness onward. To protect and grow their business after going public, companies must be:
Considering an IPO or SPAC to fuel your company's future? We have an experienced team of professionals deployed in over 30 key global capital markets.
With our in-depth knowledge of the execution process and the rules and regulations governing the world’s leading capital markets, we can help clients; assess readiness, choose the right markets for their businesses and navigate every phase of the complex IPO process.
We will help you to understand what you need to know, and what you need to do, to complete an IPO. We can help you evaluate the pros and cons of an IPO, navigate the listing process and prepare your business for life as a public company, regardless of the market you choose to list on.