For growing Startups and SMEs seeking to raise capital, SME-IPO and listing on India’s premier stock exchanges can be a superior route to growth. Since 2014, India’s premier stock exchange platforms known as NSE and BSE have provided small and mid-size companies a great opportunity to raise equity capital for growth and expansion.
The stock exchange listing will help unleash the valuation of companies and in the process create wealth for all the stakeholders, besides enormous benefits.
SME companies have the potential to grow into big companies, provided they get adequate capital support.
Startups and SME companies now have the great opportunity to grow into big public listed companies by getting themselves listed on India’s premier stock exchanges through SME-IPO.
We hope that this concise article on SME-IPO will help companies to be well prepared to transform into a successful and wealthy public listed company that continually delivers maximum value and creates wealth for its shareholders.
Let us start with the benefits to Startups and SMEs on getting listed on the stock exchange platforms.
Advantages and Benefits of Listing on the Stock Exchange Platforms
Some of the key advantages of getting your company (Startup or SME) listed on the stock exchange platforms are as follows:
1. Easier access to equity capital and better funding opportunities
Going for IPO and public listing provides companies with the equity financing opportunities to grow their business from operations to expansion to inorganic acquisitions. Access to equity financing lowers the debt burden leading to lower financing costs and healthier and wealthier balance sheets.
2. Enhanced value creation
The valuation of a company is determined by many factors, one of which is the class of company-whether a public listed or private limited. Going for a public issue of capital will enhance the company’s visibility. Greater public awareness gained through media coverage, publicly filed documents and coverage of stock by sector investment analysts will also provide the listed companies with greater profile and credibility.
3. Balanced risk management for promoters
The stock exchange listing will help companies to distribute the risk of business efficiently. Listing the company would facilitate the expansion of the investor’s base, which in turn helps the company get a secondary market for equity financing, including private placement.
4. Increased participation from private equity investors
Easier and efficient entry/ exit platforms for strategic investors lead to increased participation from private equity investors. The presence of a market-driven transparent trading platform provides a ready and easy entry/ exit for strategic investors. IPO Listing not only offers the investors flexibility for entry and exit, but also the confidence required for any such transactions. The IPO listing would also result in increased participation by venture capital players as they would have a ready, transparent and tax-efficient exit route.
5. Brand building
Going for an IPO is most likely to enhance the company/ brand’s visibility, corporate image creation and strong national as well as international brand building. Greater public awareness gained through media coverage, and research coverage by sector investment analysts provide the companies with greater visibility and help brand building which otherwise may remain a dream for most companies.
Below, we have mentioned some of the requirements that are needed to make your company get qualified to get listed on SME-IPO.
Requirements Needed to Get Your Company Listed in SME-IPO
For your company to get listed in SME-IPO you have to make sure that your company adheres to the requirements. Some of the basic SME-IPO requirements are as follows:
- The post-issue paid-up capital should be less than Rs.25 crore.
- The company should be profitable for at least one to two years out of the last three years.
- The company should be in existence for at least two to three years from the date of incorporation.
- The company must have a website.
We have discussed the few basic requirements that are needed. Now let us move on to the procedure of getting your company listed.
How to Get Your Company Listed in SME-IPO?
Here is a 4-stage process to get your company listed.
Stage 1
- Get a Feasibility Report on approximate IPO size, Valuation, etc.
- Appointment of IPO Advisors
- Due Diligence
- Preparation of restated financial statements including auditors report, capital structure and other certificates
Stage 2
- Appointing Bankers and Intermediates
- Filing of Draft Offer Document with Stock Exchanges & SEBI
- Respond to Stock Exchange and SEBI Comments
- Review of Offer Document and getting the approval.
- Filing of Offer Document with Registrar of Companies in India
Stage 3
- Road Shows and investors meetings
- Getting Anchor Investors
- Launch of IPO
- Receiving bids/ applications
- Closure of IPO
Stage 4
- Allocation and allotment
- Obtain Listing Approvals
- Listing on Stock Exchanges
Conclusion
We have covered a few of the basic important information about SME-IPO. This article should not be construed as professional advice. However, if you want expert advice and guidance on SME-IPO, then, you can meet the experts of MSMEx for more support. Readers are advised to consult an SME-IPO expert of MSMEx before taking any action on the points mentioned in this article.
MSMEx is an MSME education and advisory platform where you can connect with experienced and professional financial advisors, fundraising and SME-IPO experts.
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