Irish Stock Exchange announces #IPOready initiative

The Irish Stock Exchange has announced a new programme for companies planning to go public over the new few years.

The #IPOready initiative, which is supported by Enterprise Ireland and Invest Northern Ireland, provides firms that are on course for an initial public offering (IPO) with a support programme to teach them about investor relations, raising capital and business management.

“Listing on public markets brings enormous benefits for successful companies. Companies that have listed on the ISE raised €23.5 billion between 2004 and 2013. Eight new companies have listed successfully in the past two years. This programme is designed to support more Irish companies to become IPO ready,” said Aileen O’Donoghue, director of strategy at the Irish Stock Exchange.

"We want to make it easier for companies with potential to scale to follow in the footsteps of Ireland's biggest corporate success stories such as Kerry Group, Ryanair and Paddy Power, " she added.

#IPOready, which is being run in conjunction with DCU and ACG business mentors, will provide support over a 15 month period. It includes lectures from corporate finance experts, investment practitioners and academics from DCU; coaching from mentors; and advice from senior ISE figures, entrepreneurs and leaders from Irish quoted companies.

High-potential companies wishing to apply for the scheme must have a proven track record in a high-growth industry sector and annual revnues of at least €5 million and heading up to €10 bllion. Two senior executives must also be willing to commit to participating in the programme.

“We’re looking for ambitious companies to come to the market and this programme will give them the skills they need to take their business to the next level as a successful quoted company. Our aim is to build a strong pipeline of high-quality companies with the business and the skills to prosper on the public markets,” said Ms O’Donoghue.

The closing date for applications is Friday, January 30th, 2015. Full details and application forms can be obtained at ise.ie