Conference Agenda

9:00-10:00 a.m.
Light breakfast and coffee

10:00 a.m.
Welcome and Introductory Remarks from Drew Bernstein

MarcumAsia’s Co-Chair, Drew Bernstein, welcomes the attendees and sponsors and provides an overview of cross-border IPOs and SPACs from Japan, growing interest among U.S. investors, and the challenges and success factors for listing in the U.S.

10:20 a.m.
State of the U.S. IPO Market, NASDAQ

NASDAQ’s Chieko Murata introduces recent listing and trading data for NASDAQ-listed companies, explains the exchange's role in supporting companies before and after listing, and discusses the key listing criteria that private companies must meet to list on NASDAQ.

10:40 a.m.
Elements of IPO Success: What Investors Expect

This panel discussion will offer frank perspectives and current market information to guide management on whether a U.S. IPO is right for their company. Topics to include:

• What criteria must a company meet to be suitable for an IPO?

• How much money can be raised in an IPO, and how is the valuation set?

• Which sectors and industries are of greatest interest to investors today?

• What important work needs to take place before meeting underwriters?

• What are the most common reasons new public companies fail to reach their objectives after the IPO?

Moderator: Crocker Coulson, AUM Media

Speakers:

Yoichi Morimoto, HiJoJo Partners Inc.

Jesse Pichel, Roth Capital

Tony Tian, Kingswood

Enna Weng, Freedom Capital

11:30 a.m.  

Coffee and Networking Break

12:00 noon                                                     
SPACs: Advantages and Lessons Learned

After enjoying a boom period during 2020 and 2021, some called “SPAC-mania,” SPACs have lost their luster given high redemption rates and more complex SEC regulations. However, three of the largest cross-border listings from Japan in recent years, TOYO Co. (NASDAQ: TOYO), SBC Medical (NASDAQ: SBC), and Coincheck Group (NASDAQ: CNCK), chose to go public via a SPAC merger. Hear from CEOs, investment bankers, and advisors about the advantages and challenges of a de-SPAC.

Moderator: Rong Liu, Partner, MarcumAsia
Speakers:

Doug Ellenoff, Partner, Ellenoff Grossman & Schole

Junsei Ryu, CEO of TOYO Co. Ltd. (NASDAQ: TOYO) and Abalance Corporation (TSE: 3856)

Noriko Takase, General Manager of Corporate Planning Department, Coincheck Group (NASDAQ: CNCK)

Keigo Takegahara, Senior Executive Director & CFO, Director of the Corporate Division, Coincheck Group (NASDAQ: CNCK)

Yingjie Weng, Managing Director, Chardan

12:45 p.m.  
Luncheon

1:15 p.m.

Keynote Speaker & Fireside Chat:

Keitaro Ishii, Director, Kura Sushi (NASDAQ: KRUS)

“The Secrets to Long-Term Success as a U.S. Public Company”

2:00 p.m.                                       
Preparing for the IPO: Legal, Accounting, and Audit

Building the right team of advisors is vital to take advantage of market windows and efficiently move through SEC registration. Learn about the roles of your auditor, internal accounting firm, SEC legal counsel, and other key advisors in the IPO process. How can you select the right firms, develop your internal team, and manage the costs associated with a cross-border IPO?

Moderator: Neil Pinchuk, MarcumAsia

Speakers:

Tina Cheng, MarcumAsia

Joshua Kaufman, DLA

Craig Linder, Anthony, Linder & Cacomanolis, PLLC

Lisa Forcht, Hunter Taubman

2:45 p.m.                                                          
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 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. The panel will also cover the intelligence tools available to track your shareholder base and anticipate activist investor activity. 

Crocker Coulson, AUM Media 

3:15 p.m.                                                        

Tapping the Markets: Shelf Offerings, ATMs, and PIPEs

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. This is particularly important in sectors such as life sciences, technology, or AI, which may require intensive investment over multiple years to reach scale or approval of drug candidates. 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, AUM Media

Speakers:

Richard Anslow, Partner, Ellenoff Grossman & Schole

Bob Stephenson, Roth Capital

4:00 p.m.                                                       

M&A as a Public Company                                                                    

Public companies have greater flexibility to make acquisitions using their equity as currency and generally have greater access to the debt markets as well. This panel will teach you how to use M&A to drive global expansion, acquire valuable IP, and consolidate market share. Experienced dealmakers will discuss the secrets of due diligence, deal multiples, financing alternatives, and extracting synergies.

Moderator: Jason Tang, MarcumAsia

Speakers:

Jeff Acton, BDA

Ed Tsuker, Kingswood

David Danovich, Sullivan  & Worcester LLP

4:30 p.m.                                                          

Closing and Thank You

Drew Bernstein, MarcumAsia 

4:40-6:15 p.m.                                      

Cocktails and Hors Oeuvres