Last week, Singer Capital Markets co-sponsored our third Fast Track Alumni Dinner for entrepreneurs, alongside Fast Track’s founder, Hamish Stevenson, at The Landmark London.
Clive Watson, co-founder and executive Chairman of The City Pub Company, spoke about the key lessons he has learned from successfully floating three companies, including The City Pub Company, which featured on Fast Track 100 in 2016 before it floated on AIM in 2017 valued at £90m, and is now valued at £126m. Clive shared his story with Founders and Chief Executives from 14 Fast Track alumni companies, including Depop, geo, PsiOxus, CMR Surgical and thoughtonomy.
Guests enjoyed the dinner with representatives from Singer Capital Markets, and their achievements were recognised by Tim Cockroft, Founder and Chief Executive of Singer Capital Markets. Tim said: “Despite everything, we are in an amazing period of time. We have a great, entrepreneurial society, growth companies have plenty of funding options, and we are going to see lots of activity in the next few years.”
Clive’s key lessons:
- Have a distinct story to tell investors – three years of successful trading and an appealing business plan really helps
- Get the company in shape – hire a strong management for the business you want to have in three years time
- Appoint non-executives – they are useful sounding boards
- Select the right Nomad and Broker – study their track record of handling IPOs to judge their ability to sell your business to institutions; nail down your pre-IPO valuation, share options and remunerations
- Embrace the analysts – they can have good ideas about how best to present your company’s performance
- Don’t worry about world stock markets – stick to your five-year plan; don’t over promise or play the market
For more information on this news, please email enquiries@n1singer.com or call +44 (0)207 496 3000
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