Conference Agenda
Japan Go IPO Summit Agenda
8:00-9:00 a.m.
Light breakfast and coffee
9:00 a.m.
Welcome and Introductory Remarks
MarcumAsia’s Drew Bernstein welcomes the attendees and sponsors, providing an overview of cross-border IPOs and SPACs from Japan, the growing interest among U.S. investors, and the challenges and success factors for listing in the U.S.
9:20 a.m.
State of the U.S. IPO Market & Nasdaq’s Evolving Standards, 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.
9:45 a.m.
Keynote Fireside Chat: Japan’s Vision for Global Innovation Companies
Speakers TBA
Interviewer: Jordan Fisher, Zehitomo Inc., Antler Japan
10:15 a.m.
From Startups to Scale - Building Companies Worth Listing
This panel discussion will offer frank perspectives and current market information from partners at late-stage growth funds, investment bankers, and CEOs on what it takes to position your company for a successful listing. Topics to include:
How do late-stage funds think about growth and liquidity prospects?
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?
How do venture and private equity funds assess if IPO or M&A is the right exit strategy?
Moderator: Crocker Coulson, CEO, AUM Media
Speakers:
Archibald Ciganer, Managing Partner, Artemis Ventures, Ltd.
Kei Nagsawa, Founding Partner, Minerva Growth Partners
Others TBA
11:00 a.m.
Coffee and Networking Break
11:20
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: TBA
Speakers: TBA
12:05
Deep Tech from Japan to the World
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: TBA
Speakers: TBA
12:50 p.m.
Luncheon
1:20 p.m.
Luncheon Case Study:
“The Secrets Behind a Major IPO Success from Japan”
Introduction and Q&A moderated by Chieko Murata, Nasdaq
Company and speakers: TBA
2:20 p.m.
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: David E. Danovitch, Partner, Sullivan & Worcester LLP
Speakers:
Jordan Fisher, Zehitomo Inc., Antler Japan
TBA
2:50 p.m.
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, MarcumAsia
Speakers:
TBA, Partner, MarcumAsia
Richard Anslow, Partner, Ellenoff Grossman
Craig Linder, Partner, Anthony, Linder & Cacomanolis, PLLC
Hidehiro Tanaka, President, The Bank of New York Mellon Japan
Lou Taubman, Partner, Hunter Taubman
3:30 p.m.
Coffee and Networking Break
3:50 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.
Moderator: Sachiko Katori, Director, Japan, AUM Media
Speakers:
Crocker Coulson, CEO, AUM Media
Matthew Raftner, SVP, Nasdaq
4:30 p.m.
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, AUM Media
Speakers:
Laura Anthony, Partner, Anthony, Linder & Cacomanolis, PLLC
Bob Stephenson, Managing Director, Roth Capital
5:10 p.m.
Closing and Thank You
Drew Bernstein, Co-Chair, MarcumAsia
5:15-7:00 p.m.
Cocktails and Hors Oeuvres