Capital is oxygen for growth companies and can make the difference between establishing an industry-leading position and being acquired for spare parts.

Pre-IPO & Capital Markets Advisory

AUM's principals have worked with dozens of companies to successfully transition from private to public status, with deep specialization in cross-border US listings for Japanese, European, and Greater China issuers. We also provide strategic communications to support M&A, strategic investments, recapitalizations, and going-private transactions.

IPO Advisory Services

Recent transactions have demonstrated that rapid growth and a recognized brand are insufficient to assure a successful IPO. Companies that want to maximize the balance sheet and brand benefits of a going public transaction will develop a thoughtful strategy well in advance of the investment banker “beauty contest.” They also realize that the opening bell is only the starting gate of a long marathon as a new public company and will have carefully planned out milestones and communications to sustain momentum and liquidity following the IPO.

AUM provides our IPO advisory clients with a complete solution from initial feasibility through to the opening bell.

Services we offer to pre-IPO companies include:

  • Development of strategy and business description to be used in the prospectus

  • Presentation used with strategic investors and investment bankers

  • Investment banker introduction and selection

  • Cross-border listing strategy and exchange selection (Nasdaq vs. NYSE for international issuers)

  • US-investor positioning for non-US companies — translating the equity story for American buy-side conventions

  • In-language board and management briefings (Japanese, Mandarin, Cantonese, Malay, Bahasa)

  • Introductions to SEC legal counsel, audit, and internal accounting

  • Assist with negotiations of all professional engagements

  • Assist with drafting of IPO prospectus

  • Assist with developing and stress testing financial models

  • Preparation for briefings of sell-side analysts

  • Stock exchange selection and listing coordination

  • Sector investor screening and intelligence

  • Public peer valuation and news monitoring

  • Quarterly reporting templates and rehearsals

  • Consultation on guidance policy

  • Governance and board composition analysis and recommendations

  • Compliant website audit and content development

  • Media positioning before a quiet period

  • Media training and compliant talking points for listing day

  • Turn-key investor relations website

  • Post-IPO communications strategy

We believe that we are often able to anticipate issues that can impede the success of an offering or lead to shortfall in anticipated pricing. While we may not have solutions to underlying business issues, we can help management identify the concerns that are easily remedied and come up with optimal positioning and messages for underlying risks or concerns.