Services

The process of going public:

Either an already listed shelf company (without operational activities) or a listed shell company (with operational activities in the past) is acquired or a new holding company is established in the legal form of a stock corporation, a partnership limited by shares or a European company.

More common is the listed shell company, where the operating subsidiary is insolvent and the holding company remains unaffected.  

We advise on the most appropriate financing structure (equity or debt).

We create or revise your business plan, develop the equity story and the investment case.

We prepare meetings with potential investors, establish contacts, prepare the company presentation, coach and accompany you in meetings with banks, private equity or venture capital companies.

We support your company in the areas of public relations, financial communications and financial marketing.

And we provide legal advice on all aspects of raising capital.

Going public is a very special milestone in the history of any company. It is therefore all the more important that this step is professionally prepared and accompanied by an experienced team of advisors at all stages of the IPO. It is important to gain the confidence of the financial markets, to convince them of the intrinsic value of the company and its shares, to highlight the leadership qualities of the management and to explain the strategic direction of the company.

Ideally, preparations should begin at least twelve to six months before the planned IPO date. We provide comprehensive and expert advice. Collectively, the members of FINANCIAL-NETWORK.EU have completed around 100 successful IPOs. 

Here are some examples of the group’s services:

• Equity story development
• Preparation of the bank exposé and factbook
• Selection of underwriters and review of terms
• Development of communication strategy
• Financial communications (IPO advertisements, brochures, flyers, etc.)
• Syndicate analyst meeting
• IPO presentation / press kit
• IPO press / analyst conference
• Organisation of the listing event

Our goal is a secure placement at the best possible issue proceeds.

Creating and strengthening trust, establishing and expanding contacts with the financial community and strictly adhering to the very complex legal framework of capital market and company law – that is the “recipe for success” to survive on the stock market. The players are interested in facts and figures that can be presented in a target group-oriented manner. And they expect forecasts on the company’s development, because the share price reflects their assessment of future developments. This is where our investor relations consultancy comes in. 

For example, we offer:

• Comprehensive legal advice on capital markets and corporate law
• Updating of equity story and corporate presentation
• Mandatory and voluntary financial publicity: ad hoc publicity and corporate news
• Concept, text and design of annual reports, interim reports and corporate brochures
• Roadshows with analyst and investor meetings at home and abroad
• Annual general meeting support
• Financial Communications and Public Relations
• Initiation of one-on-one meetings with leading business and financial media
• Development of an informative fact book
• Shareholder targeting to identify potential new investors
• Perception research and shareholder analysis
• Ongoing research

Through our coherent investor relations strategy, we create a continuous presence for your company in the capital markets.

Many fast-growing and successful companies tap the capital markets more than once – when they go public. From time to time, they need ‘fresh money’ to fund expansion, make acquisitions and enter new businesses or foreign markets. A capital increase is often the cheapest way to finance growth. But only if the new shares can be successfully placed at an appropriate price.

Targeted dialogue with capital market players is essential. As with an IPO, they need to understand the new or modified equity story and be convinced of the value of the investment.

We support you in all phases of your corporate actions, from preparation to placement. The catalogue of actions is similar to that of an IPO – but the time frame is much shorter.

Mergers and acquisitions pose two particular challenges for management. The first is to manage the acquisition or investment process as quickly and “quietly” as possible, without it being talked about in advance. Second, the integration process must be set in motion very quickly so that the expected synergy potential can actually be realised quickly.

The latter must be supported by a very comprehensive package of communication measures. After all, change processes are initially unsettling: employees fear for their jobs, top performers worry about being fired, customers fear for their hitherto reliable relationship, and shareholders question the price and the strategy behind the M&A project. And everyone wants a quick and convincing answer to their questions.

We understand these sensitive, time-critical projects and have successfully managed several of them.

Here are some examples of the services we can provide:

• Advice on a planned M&A or MBO project
• Organisation of the legal coordination process and support
• Capital market check for a planned M&A or MBO, presentation of synergy potential
• Assistance with the financing of the transaction, e.g. financing options or preparation of documents (fact book, etc.) and establishment of contacts with investors
• Development of the M&A story and communication strategy
• Design and coordination of all communication activities
• Addressing all necessary target groups (including shareholder representatives, analysts, journalists, employees, trade unions, business partners and customers)
• Communication strategy in the event of premature disclosure of confidential information or cancellation of the transaction

In the capital market, management and corporate communications encounter unique challenges as the company is constantly under public scrutiny. Building and maintaining trust is paramount – not only in the leadership of the management but also in the quality of products and services, company performance, and the value of shares. The trust and reputation associated with the company’s name and management are crucial messages to target groups inside and outside the capital market. It’s essential to positively influence these aspects, especially in the run-up to important strategic decisions.

Corporate or financial communication plays a key role in the capital market, in IPOs, takeovers and mergers. Anyone who fails to win over the majority of opinions and explanations, who is forced onto the defensive, usually has a problem. Quick action, clear statements and a confident appearance are required.

Communication is a management task that needs to be mastered in close coordination with external communication specialists, legal advisors and banks. We provide comprehensive support throughout this process, collaborating with you to develop appropriate strategies and measures in advance and standing by you in times of emergency.

Our financial market communication services include:

• Public Relations
• Investor Relations
• Corporate communications
• Events, presentations, publications, etc.
• Annual Report
• Equity Research
• Roadshows
• IR portals, blogs and discussion forums, etc.