Conference Agenda
8:00 AM-9:00 AM
Light breakfast and coffee
9:20 AM-9:45 AM
State of the U.S. IPO Market & Evolving Listing Standards
Introduces recent listing and trading data for US-listed companies, explains the exchanges’ roles in supporting companies before and after listing, and discusses the key listing criteria that private companies must meet to list on NASDAQ or NYSE.
Speaker:
Carol Hou, Co-Head of APAC (ex-China) Capital Markets, New York Stock Exchange
9:00 AM-9:20 AM
Welcome and Introductory Remarks
Welcomes the attendees and sponsors and provides an overview of cross-border IPOs and SPACs from Japan, the growing interest among U.S. investors, and the challenges and success factors for U.S. listings.
Speaker:
Drew Bernstein, Co-Chair, Marcum Asia CPAs LLP
9:45 AM-10:15 AM
Keynote Fireside Chat: Japan’s Vision for Global Innovation Companies
Interviewer:
Jordan Fisher, Zehitomo Inc., Venture Partner Antler Japan
Speaker:
Noriya Tarutani, Head of JETRO Startups / Deputy Director General, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO)
10:15 AM-11:00 AM
From Startups to Scale - Building Companies Worth Listing
This panel discussion will offer frank perspectives and current market information on what it takes to position your company for a successful listing. Hear from the CEOs of companies at the leading edge of innovation in sectors including AI, quantum, nuclear fusion, and mobility, how Japan’s scientific depth and industrial expertise are giving rise to a new generation of private companies ready to compete on the global stage.
Moderator:
Reika Matsuda, former Founding Partner, JIC Venture Growth Investments
Speaker:
Kiyoshi Seko, President & COO, Representative Director of Kyoto Fusioneering
Shinya Shimizu, Founder & CEO, Elephantech Inc.
Issei Takino, CEO, Mujin
11:00 AM-11:20 AM
Coffee and Networking Break
12:00 PM-12:55 PM
Paths to Public Status: IPO versus de-SPAC and Direct Listings
While an Initial public offering is the established path to public status, several high-profile Japanese companies have also gone public in the United States by merging with a special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC. SPAC IPOs have been extremely vibrant in the past 18 months. In addition, direct listings are becoming increasingly popular among companies that need to provide liquidity to shareholders and have equity for acquisitions, but do not need to raise capital immediately. Learn the trade-offs behind each path.
Moderator: Crocker Coulson, CEO, AUM Advisors
Speakers:
Alex Jin, Head of Asia Investment Banking, Maxim Group
Raffaele Gambardella, COO & CRO, Alliance Global Partners
Takuma Segawa, CFO, Micware Co., Ltd.
Takahiko Onozuka, Chairman and CEO, TOYO Co. Ltd
Robert Stephenson, Managing Director, Roth Capital
Gen Takahashi, Vice President, Cohen & Co.
Arila Zhou, Partner, Robinson + Cole
11:20 AM-12:00 PM
Raising Global Growth Capital
Japan is now on the radar of global venture and crossover investors, and tapping into capital beyond the domestic private equity ecosystem is essential to success. Learn from some of the top funds how they think about the opportunities in Japan, what their criteria are to commit capital, and how to prepare for global scale and impact.
Moderator:
David Danovitch, Partner, Sullivan & Worcester
Speakers:
Takuro Awazu, Partner, City-Yuwa Partners
Archibald Ciganer, Managing Partner, Artemis Ventures, Ltd.
Keith Yuki Isobe, Managing Director at DG Ventures and CEO at ONL (fka Open Network Lab)
Kei Nagasawa, Managing Partner, Minerva Growth Partners
13:20 PM-14:20 PM
Luncheon Case Study: “The Secrets Behind a Major IPO Success from Japan”
12:55 PM-13:20 PM
Lunch
14:50 PM-15:30 PM
Preparing for the IPO: Legal, Accounting, and Audit
Building the right team of advisors is vital to taking advantage of market windows and moving through SEC registration efficiently. Learn about the roles of your auditor, internal accounting firm, SEC legal counsel, and other key advisors in the IPO process.
Moderator:
Drew Bernstein, Co-Chair, Marcum Asia CPAs LLP
Speakers:
Hirohisa Kato, Partner, Marcum Asia CPAs LLP
Richard Anslow, Partner, Ellenoff Grossman
Craig Linder, Partner, Anthony, Linder & Cacomanolis, PLLC
Akira Nozaki, Partner, SprAut Accounting Corporation
Louis Taubman, Partner, Hunter Taubman
Susan Woo, Partner, Beyond Century
14:20 PM-14:50 PM
Unlocking Liquidity - Secondaries & Cap Tables
Explore global best practices that private companies employ on secondaries, LP buyouts, and other techniques to provide liquidity to early-stage investors and key employees and optimize their cap tables in advance of an IPO.
Moderator:
Jordan Fisher, Zehitomo Inc., Venture Partner, Antler Japan
Speakers:
Anthony Costa, VP, General Atlantic
Yuji Mori, Director and CFO, SmartHR
James Riney, Founding Partner and CEO, Coral Capital
15:30 PM-15:50 PM
Coffee and Networking Break
15:50 PM-16:30 PM
Developing a Following on Wall Street: IR, Research Coverage, and Trading
While some may think that ringing the opening bell on the first day of trading is the end of the IPO journey, it is only the beginning. New public companies must demonstrate corporate governance excellence and proactively engage with investors to develop liquidity in the stock and attract an institutional following. Learn about the elements of success, including analyst coverage, non-deal roadshows, investment conferences, and frequent and accurate disclosures.
Moderator:
Sachiko Katori, Director, Japan, AUM Advisors
Speakers:
Elizabeth Fei Chen, Partner, Pryor Cashman LLP
Crocker Coulson, CEO, AUM Advisors
Daniel Mamadou, Chairman, Welsbach
Hidehiro Tanaka, President, BNY Japan
16:30 PM-17:10 PM
Tapping the Markets: Shelf Offerings, PIPES, ATMs, and M&A
One of the principal advantages of a U.S. listing is the flexibility to conduct follow-on offerings to raise multiple rounds of growth capital and use equity as a currency to make acquisitions. This is particularly important in sectors such as life sciences, technology, or AI, which may require intensive investment over multiple years. Learn about the options to tap the equity and debt markets, including registered directs, ATMs, PIPEs, and convertibles, as well as the “toxic” structures that can destroy shareholder value.
Moderator: Crocker Coulson, CEO, AUM Advisors
Laura Anthony, Founding Partner, Anthony, Linder & Cacomanolis, PLLC
Edric Yi Guo, Chief Executive Officer & Head of Investment Banking, Univest Securities, LLC
Stephanie (Mengjie) Hu, Co-head Investment Banking, D. Boral
John Stapleton, Partner, Taft
17:10 AM-17:15 PM
Closing and Thank You
Crocker Coulson, CEO, AUM Advisors
17:20 PM-19:00 PM
Cocktails and Hors d’Oeuvres