To Be Or Not To Be A Public Company

By Neil J.F. Steenberg

Volume 3:3 July 2000

The following is a brief discussion of the going public process which is derived from a more extensive and specific case study. It is addressed specifically to emerging technology enterprises which form a major part of our business and technology practice. For management of these businesses and for the Gowlings team working with them, the going public process has been compelling, demanding (almost to the point of being all consuming) and always exciting.

This paper will examine and analyse various issues and challenges common to the financing of technology-driven enterprises. These issues include,

• the decision to "go public";