Introduction
Going public is the process by which a private company becomes a publicly traded entity through an Initial Public Offering (IPO). This means that the company’s shares are available for purchase by the general public, and the company becomes publicly owned. Going public is usually dons to raise capital for expansion, research and development, or to payoff debt. Additionally, venture capitalists may use IPOs as an exit strategy to get out of their investment in a company.
What is a Public Limited Company?
A public company is a type of corporation that allows ownership to be dispersed among the general public through publicly traded stock shares. When a privately held company makes the decision to go public, it initiates the process of offering securities to the public and securing a listing on a stock exchange. This transition from private to public ownership and obtaining a stock exchange listing is a significant milestone in the company’s life cycle and carries a considerable weight of reputation for the organization.
Reasons why a company decides to become Public Limited Company
1. Increase Reputation and Goodwill
When a company goes public, the public pays close attention to its brand and market. It is an outstanding opportunity for a company or an organization that has never been in the public eye to become highly visible in order to attract more quality talent, opportunity, and credibility. An IPO (Initial Public Offering) also generates a major amount of goodwill and publicity for the organization.
2. Raise Capital
Going public allows a company to raise additional capital by selling shares to the public. The proceeds may be used to expand the business, fund research and development, or payoff debt.
3. Liquidity and Valuation
When a company decides to go public, it offers an opportunity for its shareholders to access liquidity. By entering the public market, the company’s shares become tradable, enabling investors to sell their ownership stakes. This process not only facilitates the sale of shares but also boosts the financial well-being of shareholders who can leverage the publicly traded stock as collateral for loans.
The act of going public establishes a market value for the company’s shares. The value of these shares is determined by what individuals are willing to pay for them, and the public market serves as a transparent and impartial platform for assessing this value objectively.
4. Stakeholders Profitability
The company is growing incredibly fast because of a great brand image, a strong presence, and enhanced performance. As a result, shareholders of the companies enjoy higher revenues and liquidity. Over time, shareholders will also be able to make more profit or earning from the company’s current shares. As a result, if the business activities grow significantly high because of this opportunity, it could be very profitable for shareholders.
5. Mergers and Acquisitions
Well-managed businesses are often sought after by large corporations for mergers and acquisitions. Additionally, the IPO process can be utilized to finance such transactions. A successful IPO not only increases a company’s value, reputation, and status, but also provides additional funds to support mergers and acquisitions.
6. Capital Generation
Going public is a common way for companies to raise capital. The capital can be used to expand corporate operations, invest in research, payoff debts, build infrastructure, and more. The objective is to have funds set aside for future growth. The more capital a company has, the greater the likelihood of expansion.
Summary
Going public can be a great way for a Private Limited Company to grow. By becoming a publicly traded entity, companies with solid foundations can reap several benefits from going public. A company going public is often viewed as a sign of growth, which benefits its public image. One of the more significant benefits of going public is raising capital, which can be used to expand corporate operations, invest in research, build infrastructure, payoff debts, and more.