Bootcamp A2

Mature african american coach explaining strategy to his team with copy space. Successful businessman presenting new project to employees during meeting room. Conference speaker talk to audience while giving presentation on whiteboard to business group of people.

Following your IPO, keeping your shareholders engaged will be critical. Shareholder statements and informative communications will be mailed by your transfer agent. Details, such as company contacts, lock-up release information and IPO news can be included within these mailings. To ensure post-IPO success you’ll need to be clear and to the point when communicating with your shareholders.

How will I communicate with my shareholders?

African businesswoman showing good statistics report explaining deal advantages convincing multiracial partners at negotiations meeting, black manager consulting diverse clients promising benefits

Entity compliance. Choose a transfer agent that offers a wide range of equity and compliance services to streamline your supplier list and adhere to tightening budgets. Assistance with Section 16 filings. Forms 3, 4 and 5 have strict guidelines for when they need to be filed. You need to be prepared to meet these deadlines or face penalties and fines. Convenient and secure ways to share board materials. Offering your board members tools that allow them to work more efficiently will help them make faster decisions on important business matters.

Will I have accountability for other areas and administrative functions?

Female manager stands addressing team at board meeting

Select your transfer agent as early as possible. It is important to think beyond your IPO and choose a transfer agent that will not only provide the guidance you need through the IPO process, but that will support you and your growing company’s future needs. During the IPO, your transfer agent will manage your shareholder accounts, including restrictions and lock-ups, and conversion of preferred stock or stock splits. You’ll want to consider what the shareholder experience will be like leading up to, during and after the IPO. Will they have access to modern, self-service tools? Will they receive quality customer service should they need to speak with someone for assistance? Choosing the right service provider today that will be ready for your needs of tomorrow will position you for success.

Who will be our transfer agent?

Attractive aged businesswoman, teacher or mentor coach speaking to young people, senior woman in glasses teaching audience at training seminar, female business leader speaker talking at meeting

Going public means your cap table is no longer a private document. While your shareholder data will always remain confidential, as a public company your cap table information will now be available in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and your annual report will be available for anyone to view. You’ll need to determine who will administer your equity programs and how those parties will work together.

How will I manage our employee equity programs?

Happy young interracial couple shake hand of bank manager broker buy insurance services take mortgage loan, mixed ethnicity customers handshake agent make agreement financial business deal at meeting

Identifying and engaging the right team of people is essential to the success of your IPO. You’ll need to decide which external service providers have the expertise to support you and your team as you make critical business decisions. Your team may consist of legal counsel, accountants, financial advisors, underwriters, and your transfer agent. You will be delegating many of the important tasks related to the IPO, such as lock-up releases, issuance of shares to underwriter(s), conversion of preferred classes of stock or stock splits to these providers, so you want to make sure they are the best choice for you and for your stakeholders.

Do I have the best people supporting me through my IPO?

The demands on you and your team are real. When it comes to getting these obligatory tasks done, finding an easier way is a must and a service provider with experience can help. Computershare can help you through this entire spectrum.

Next: Employee equity programs

Next: Choosing a transfer agent

Next: Managing administrative functions

Next: Shareholder communication

Back to start: Building an IPO team