Taking A Company Public: Which Is Best? Reverse Merger or S1 Registration?
The dream of taking one’s company public is all too often unrealized when a shell merger or reverse merger concept is used. I say concept because this describes a general tactic as opposed to a strategy personified by a direct registration or S1 filing. Shortcuts have no place in a public offering as it lacks the results sought by entrepreneurs and demanded by investors and shareholders. Shells for mergers are typically dogs infested with microscopic flees, the struggle for volume and investor retention is constant and you’ll never have the full legitimacy of an S1 as the previous owners organizational baggage will constantly hinder your development as a public entity as the weight of skeletons in the closet will always outweigh your efforts, thus eliminating the results of IR and other promotional tactics for stock traction in the marketplace. Going public doesn’t have to be painful, all you need is a game plan and experienced agents working on your behalf. If you’re broke get a loan, don’t attempt a public offering. If your company has a proven concept and solid net revenues then going public may be just the fund raising tool you’ve been looking for.