Direct Public Offering, otherwise known as DPO is starting to become more popular these days with companies worldwide. It offers entrepreneurs a creative way of obtaining financing in this competitive market. In a nutshell direct public offering combines elements of the early stages of financing, but adds a new complete dimension that can take your company to the next level.
If you need money to grow your company, you can use a direct public offering as a way to secure clients, employees, suppliers, distributors and customers by marketing your company shares to them. It acts as an alternative to an underwritten public offering, and be very cost effective as it doesn't require a full SEC registration. The procedures are simpler and it allows small businesses access to capital markets where only bigger companies usually have access to it.
By taking the traditional route of business development, financing and marketing, you'll find this all pays very poorly when you consider the dividends it pays out. In a competitive market the use of a direct public offering can give a company the much sought after capital while promoting & marketing their services and products.
Another benefit is the fact that with the capital you raise, you don't have to pay it back. You can also offer a share of your company in exchange for the funds if needed. An example of a DPO is a Betting Shop that sells stock to its customers. In the past and present, new start-ups and established firms have successfully used direct public offerings to their advantage.
There are some similarities between an IPO and a DPO where your company must be in full compliance with the local securities branch of government. Also it's easier to raise finance in this direct manner as opposed to a traditional debt financing bank loan. A bank might not look so favorably upon a high risk business that has little capital that can be used as collateral.
Another benefit is that you don't have to worry about interest or that the loan will get called in at a later date. It will give you ample experience with investors and investment banks long before you will undertake a normal initial public offering as well.
With the marketing involved in a DPO, you give the public and customers the chance to find out all about your company and the product or service it delivers. So it acts as a marketing campaign at the same time which will work in your benefit. You might attract the right type of people to your company as well, because a lot of people will want to see you succeed and it will be in their interest to help you with your company.
You can also leverage your company with years to come if you have equity capital at your disposal. This in turn will open other financial doors and it will also make things easier for people to invest with you if the risk has been reduced significantly.
With every advantage there are also disadvantages with a DPO, and one of them is to get all the necessary documentation to register with the SEC and your stock might not have a successful sale in the end. It cannot just be presumed you'll have a successful sale. A fact is that a lot of companies fail in achieving all their objectives, but don't let this stop you from doing a direct public offering.
It depends on the needs of your company and what you want to achieve, but in the long run you should consider alternative formats of raising funds as well. Some companies have raised a few million dollars just by using innovative ideas, with just a few thousand dollars as investment. But some companies have also lost a lot. It's definitely a gamble in some instances. Here a professional 'Go Public' consulting firm will help you in your decisions and see if you are taking it in the right direction.
It helps to talk to a Securities Law Attorney about your options.
Understand that using a good and seasoned 'Go Direct' Consultant will help you in your progress whether you are thinking of doing a direct public offering and even an IPO later on if needed. Establishing a lasting relationship with the consulting firm that will help your business grow is all that you can ask for in the long run.