IPO Readiness Workshop 2024: Swiss scaleups gain IPO insights from industry experts

08.07.2024 10:30, Rita Longobardi

Many success factors are critical to the viability and feasibility of an Initial Public Offering (IPO). The IPO Readiness Workshop provided insight into this complex topic, supported the handpicked scaleups with key resources and expert knowledge, and demonstrated the importance of a concise equity story.

Going public represents a significant milestone for any company. By transitioning from private to public status, a company offers its shares to the public for the first time. This process allows businesses to raise capital from public investors, facilitating growth and expansion, and increasing visibility in the marketplace. On July 2nd, Venturelab had the great pleasure to host, at the startup space, the 3rd consecutive edition of the IPO Readiness Workshop, providing the Swiss scale-ups with in-depth insights into the IPO process, strategies for success, and the challenges companies face when going public. The experts not only covered primary considerations of an IPO but also provided first-hand practical tips on what matters when planning to go public and shared pitfalls to avoid in the preparation phase. The session was supported by three experienced IPO partners: EY, SIX, and Walder Wyss.



Fabian Gerber and Sarah Suter from SIX Swiss Exchange started the topic of why going public, listing rules, the main reasons to be listed on SIX, the basic requirements of an IPO and also introduced the SME Stock Exchange segment Sparks. Alex Nikitine, from Walder Wyss, guided the companies on the key legal topics and provided expert advice around IPO, due diligence, liability, compensation committee, prospectus, and the main rules to be considered by the companies. From EY, Tobias Meyer and Marc Ledermann covered the financial readiness and corporate governance for an IPO and the Internal Control Systems.

The workshop provided a thorough and well-structured overview of the IPO process, with informative and actionable content. Using real-world examples and case studies helped contextualize the material and illustrate best practices for the participating Swiss scaleup founders.



The participants benefited from an empowering workshop that helped them gain a deeper insight into the challenges of the initial public offering and also had inspiring networking opportunities. We are now very much looking forward to the next IPO of a Swiss startup. May the IPO window open soon again!

Next opportunity: Sparks IPO Academy 
Fast-growing scaleups and established SMEs seeking capital can participate in the upcoming Sparks IPO Academy, a 6-month training program by SIX Swiss Exchange, developed in collaboration with leading capital market specialists in Switzerland. The next IPO Academy will start in November. Apply now for the next Sparks IPO Adacemy 2024/2025.