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#IPOready, the leadership programme designed by the Irish Stock Exchange (ISE) to equip companies with crucial skills in raising capital, investor relations and business management has finished its first semester. It attracted CEOs and CFOs from a variety of sectors including technology, security, food and printing.
Supported by Enterprise Ireland, the programme completed its first of three phases over eight days from March to June. Phase one focused on building core knowledge and skills and included lectures from corporate finance experts, investment practitioners and academics from DCU; coaching from mentors; and master classes from entrepreneurs and leaders from Irish quoted companies.
Topics covered included:
- strategy, leadership and governance,
- corporate finance fundamentals, funding options, financial modelling and valuations, and
- getting your company IPO ready including investor communication and presentation skills.
It concluded with an investor pitch to a panel of potential domestic and international debt and equity investors.
David Walsh CEO and co-founder of Netwatch Systems said, “The #IPOready programme has exceeded my expectations. I have already begun to make changes to my company’s structure and governance based on recommended best practice learnt over the course of the first phase.”
Dr. Conor Mc Cormack, CEO and co-founder of Mcor Technologies, said "The opportunity to network with and learn from advisors and leaders of companies who have already achieved scale and accessed capital markets has been one of the key benefits of the programme."
Orla O’Gorman, Head of Equity at the Irish Stock Exchange said, “We are really impressed with the quality and dedication of the companies which have chosen to come on the #IPOready programme. It is inspiring to see the progress they have made from their first induction day to their investor pitch day. We are looking forward to seeing them continue to develop over the remainder of the programme.”
About the #IPOready Programme
The #IPOready programme is giving participating companies:
- A detailed understanding of large-scale funding options
- Opportunities to network with other ambitious, fast-growing companies
- Access to a network of top advisors, investors, entrepreneurs and academics with experience in growing companies to significant scale
- Support in achieving plans for future international growth
The programme which is being delivered in 3 phases over 15 months includes two further phases:
Phase 2 – Analysing funding options and understanding the fund raising process
Phase 3 – Networking and attracting investors.
Full details of the programme are available in the IPO Programme brochure or by contacting Orla O’Gorman, Head of Equity at orla.ogorman@ise.ie.
