GOING PUBLIC? Welcome to the Going Public section of the Capital Connector. This site has been prepared for the businessperson whose company is considering going public. Introduction "Going public" may be the most exciting and exhilarating as well as the most demanding and frustrating challenge you and your business will ever face. Although there are the well-publicized success stories making millionaires and billionaires out of some, there are numerous tales of failed and aborted public offerings, management shake-ups, and even bankruptcies. Some of the events that contributed to these failures would have occurred even had the company remained private. But others might have been avoided. Often management is unaware and not prepared for the rigors of managing a public company. You must carefully weigh out the advantages against the drawbacks. So what are some of these advantages and drawbacks? Enlist Experienced Advisors Early In The Process If you are new to the "going public process" it is highly recommended that you enlist professional advisors early, so they can guide and provide you with the needed advice to ensure a successful IPO. It has often been said that the IPO process is not a transaction but rather a transformation. A side benefit of this transformation is the maturing that companies go through. What should you look for in a professional and where do you find such people? Questions That Should Be Asked At The Outset Before You Start the Process? Why go public? Are we ready: Are we the right size and substance? Do we have a strong enough management team? Do we have a growth strategy? Do we have a significant upside potential? Is the market ready? These are just some of the questions that must be asked before you start the 'going public process'. This section covers many of the questions that should be asked with some helpful hints. " R&D Funding " Angel Financing " Venture Capital " Debt Financing " Subordinated Debt " Going Public