Why Go Public?
Once a Company Goes Public, the Business Typically has these Advantages:
• Increase in valuation when you go public.
• Liquidity for shareholders
• Raising capital is easier as a public entity.
• A publicly traded company can use its stock to trade for advertising to promote its product, services & stock.
Investor Relations & the Going Public Process
When going public with a company, we can assist with investor relations and stock promotions. As a public company, it is important to note that advertising direct public offerings to the general public is allowed, if the company registers the offering with the SEC and follows other guidelines. This is prohibited to private companies.
Genesis Private Fund gives you the power of a publicly traded business to take destiny into your own hands to raise capital. Introductions provided to large advertising groups that trade advertising for stock in a public company. The free advertising can be utilized to inform general investors that you are a public company, to promote your business, and to help raise capital.
How to Go Public: Taking a Company Public without an IPO
When an entrepreneur wishes to take a company public, one method employed is an initial public offering which is commonly referred to by the acronym IPO. For smaller businesses, there are faster and less expensive avenues to achieve the same goal.
When to Go Public with a Company
The decision of when to go public with your company should factor in a number of considerations. The chief question of many small business owners is regarding the cost to go public. Going public with a smaller company is significantly less than larger NASDAQ and NYSE listed companies.
There are many benefits to being a public company.
Some of the most compelling advantages can include:
1. Access to capital
When you go public and become a public company it can give investors more confidence in investing in your company. When your stock has a public price, it gives you a benchmark price to raise capital. Any potential investor can go on the Internet or call a broker and get a quote for your company’s stock price. Some public companies then give investors who buy stock directly from the company in a private placement a discount from the public trading price (if they are willing to hold the stock for one year). This gives this investor even more of an incentive to invest.
Capital raised can be used for a variety of purposes including; growth and expansion, retiring existing debt, corporate marketing and development, and acquisition capital. A company’s financing alternatives are significantly increased. A publicly traded company can go to the public markets for capital with a stock or bond issue, and may also convert debt to equity.
2. Liquidity
By going public, a company can create a market for its stock. This gives the public company a greater opportunity to sell shares to investors. In general, stock in a public company is much more liquid than stock in a private enterprise. Liquidity is created for investors, institutions, founders, and owners. Investors in the company may be able to buy or sell the stock more readily. Often time’s institutional investors and venture capitalists will require a company to become public before committing funds. It is generally better to raise capital as a public company because investors know they have an exit strategy.
A public company may help the company to borrow more easily and eliminate personal guarantees. Liquidity can also provide an investor or company owner with an exit strategy. Liquidity is one of the many reasons why public companies are typically valued so much more than private businesses.
3. Mergers and Acquisitions
Once a company is public and the market for its stock is established, the stock can be considered as valuable as cash when acquiring other businesses & assets. This depends on the specific company.
A public company usually increases a company’s valuation leading to a variety of opportunities including mergers and acquisitions. A public company also has the advantage of using the market’s valuation when exchanging stock in an acquisition.
Securities and Exchange Commission disclosure requirements offer the public more confidence because in annual reports a company lays out its financial condition.
4. Increased Valuation
The market value of a public company is normally substantially higher than a private company with the same structure in the exact same industry. Converting a private company to a public company results in a substantial increase in value to owners. Statistics published by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce demonstrate that sellers of private companies receive an average of 4 to 6 times their net earnings. Whereas, public companies sell at an average of 20-25 times their net earnings. High-tech companies are valued even higher.
Investors in a private company will discount the value of its stock because of their “non-liquidity” – the lack of a ready, public market for them. Therefore, public companies often are valued so much greater than private, similar companies in the same or similar industry. The availability of other alternatives to raising capital permits a public company greater leverage in its negotiations with investors. Most institutional and individual investors prefer investing in a public company since they have an “exit,” that is, they can sell their stock in the public market. Many companies that were private and about to be purchased went public to be purchased at a much higher price.
5. Compensation
Many companies use stock and options as an incentive to attract and retain important employees. This reward is more desirable when the company is publicly traded. Stock can be key in attracting and keeping key personnel. Also, certain tax advantages are a consideration when issuing stock to an employee. Being public can help to create a market for the company’s stock. This market can result in liquidity and reward for the employees.
Stock compensation is a way of connecting an employee’s financial future to the company’s success.
6. Prestige of being a Public Company
A public offering, stock offering, and equity offering of stock can help a company gain prestige by creating a perception of stability & power. The status of being a public company can have a dramatic effect on a company’s profile. They will be seen as more competitive and stable. This perception can lead to expanded business opportunities and confidence from consumers and investors.
A company’s founders will gain prestige from being associated with a public company. Prestige can be helpful in attracting employees and marketing services or products and raising capital. As a public company, you enhance the company’s reputation and increase its business opportunities. Your company gains additional exposure and becomes much better known. Being a public company is publicity itself.
Sometimes suppliers and consumers want to be shareholders as well as strategic partners, which may encourage continued or increased business. Once public, lenders, and suppliers may perceive the company as a safer credit risk; this enhances the opportunities for good financing terms. Indeed, the suppliers’ and customers’ perception of company success is often a self-fulfilling prophecy. Many people have called it the ultimate status symbol.
7. Personal Wealth
One of the chief benefits of a public offering is that the company’s stock may eventually become liquid, offering financial independence for the founders. This can be of major financial significance.
A public market for stock offers an exit strategy and liquidity for investors. A public company can enhance the personal net worth of the shareholders. Even if a public company’s shareholders do not realize immediate profits, publicly-traded stock can be used as collateral or as a currency to acquire assets. It makes sense at an appropriate time for investors and entrepreneurs to cash out some of their equity in order to diversify their holdings or to enjoy life. Employees and officers have two ways to add to their wealth: by receiving a salary and selling stock or trading the stock for another type of asset.
8. Estate Planning
The public company can be used as part of estate planning for management. This allows a business owner to pass assets to heirs. Management may want to transfer the accumulated value in a business to family members.
9. Publicity
Public companies are more likely to receive the attention of newspapers, magazines, and periodicals than private businesses. The proper use of press releases, interviews, and news stories can increase investor awareness and shareholder value demand for public company stock. A strong public relation campaign coupled with media and the stock price can potentially increase sales and revenue and investors.
The publicity received from being a public company can encourage investments from the public, business development, and strategic relationships. Analyst reports and daily stock market quotes contribute to more awareness by consumers and the financial community. By virtue of being a public company your company’s story can more easily get out to the world. This allows investors who would not invest in private companies but will invest in public companies to find out about your company.
The publicity that a public company may receive can attract the attention of potential partners, investors, and new business or merger candidates. Most private firms do not appear on the radar screen of investors. Being a public company makes it easier for other companies to notice and evaluate your business for potential synergies and to raise capital.
When you are ready to go public with your company please contact us.
We are a recognized leader in providing going public services.