Registering Your Initial Public Offering with the SEC

Many business owners view an initial public offering (IPO) as the brass ring. They work tirelessly to create value in their company with the eventual goal of going public. But as much work as building

a company is, preparing for the IPO is hard work, too. Securities offerings are highly regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Unless you qualify for one of the SEC's exemptions, you will need to file an astounding amount of paperwork before your IPO. You may also be required to file annual updates with the SEC. Your first step will be to file a registration statement with the SEC. There are two main components of the registration statement.

Part 1: the prospectus. This part of the statement will include all the pertinent facts about your business and the offering, including financial statements, information about the management team, and other pertinent information. You must make the prospectus available to anyone who is willing and able to participate in the IPO.