Chris Ortega’s Post

CFO Insights: Key Steps to Drive Value During an Exit or IPO Every CFO knows an exit or IPO can be transformative—but only when managed strategically. The pressure is immense, and the stakes are high. Here’s how to navigate this critical process and maximize enterprise value: 1️⃣ Get Your Financial House in Order: Investors demand precision. Audit your financial statements, refine your forecasting models, and ensure compliance across the board. Transparency and accuracy build trust and drive valuation. 2️⃣ Focus on Operational Efficiency: Streamline processes, reduce redundancies, and highlight predictable revenue streams. A lean, well-oiled operation is far more appealing to potential buyers or public markets. 3️⃣ Tell a Compelling Story: Your numbers are crucial, but so is your narrative. How does your company lead the market? What’s your growth potential? Craft a story that captures both emotional and rational value. 4️⃣ Build the Right Team: An experienced team signals stability. Surround yourself with advisors and key hires who’ve navigated exits or IPOs. Investors bet on people as much as they do on businesses. 5️⃣ Mitigate Risks Early: Identify and address risks—whether operational, legal, or financial—before due diligence begins. Surprises during this phase can erode value and derail deals. Here’s the hard truth: A CFO must be both a strategist and an operator to successfully execute an exit or IPO. I’ve seen firsthand how aligning financial discipline, strategic vision, and strong leadership can elevate outcomes. What’s your biggest challenge in preparing for an exit or IPO? Let’s discuss this in the comments, or feel free to connect with me directly! #CFOLeadership #MergersAndAcquisitions #IPO #PrivateEquity #EnterpriseGrowth #FinanceTransformation #watchwithpremium

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, companies are increasingly considering the benefits of going public. An initial public offering (IPO) can provide capital for private companies looking to grow while providing much-needed liquidity to investors and employees. However, the IPO process can be complex and challenging as evidenced by the sharp downturn in completed listings in 2023 compared to previous years. In this article, we will dive into Roku’s highly successful IPO and Former CFO Steve Louden’s journey at the helm. With Steve as our expert guide, we summarize pragmatic and valuable lessons for leadership teams and Boards with plans to go public in the coming year(s). -> Read the full article at https://lnkd.in/gFkcuGes -> Watch Edgardo Montoya in conversation with Steve at https://lnkd.in/gk4-dqbj #KingsleyGate #IPO #initialpublicoffering #CFOs #leadership

Preparing for a successful IPO requires CFOs to focus on the financials and post-IPO strategy as well as the art of compelling storytelling that communicates their company's mission, market opportunity and investment thesis. We’ve helped hundreds of C-suite executives successfully prepare for and navigate the IPO process and establish best-in-class IR and PR communications strategies that lead to ongoing access to capital. ➡️ https://finprofiles.com/ #IPO #Strategy #CFO #Business

📰 🙌 Thank you Orlando Business Journal for featuring The Florida CFO Group #CFO partner, Donna Mackenzie in the People on the Move in #Orlando! Donna is a strategic and passionate leader focused on navigating companies during periods of high-growth and change. She brings financial, business, technical, and operational expertise to drive solutions and take advantage of opportunities and challenges. Donna has focused on venture and private equity e-commerce, media, technology and tech-enabled SAAS, B2B, B2C and companies and non-profits. She has a solid reputation for achieving results through identifying new opportunities, raising capital, building management teams, moving products to market, and driving revenue to achieve profitable businesses. As an open-minded executive, Donna's mission is to help make sound decisions based on fact and data without stifling creativity. Donna has successfully led companies through multiple capital raises, sales to private equity, and external forces such as the tech bubble burst, the great recession and most recently the pandemic. She has raised over $100M in venture, debt, and public financings, often in very difficult times. Specializing in positioning companies for transactions, leading due diligence and negotiations for numerous equity and debt financings, mergers, and acquisitions (M&A) on both the buy and sell-side, public offerings, and reverse mergers (SPACs). Join us in welcoming Donna to the team be sending her a message her: https://lnkd.in/d73Nb2ic #capitalraise #raisingcapital #venture #debt #publicfinancing #mergersandacquisitions, #buyside #sellside #manda #spac #reversemergers #publicoffering #privateequity #technology #cfoservices #cfocommunity #fractionalcfo #financialleaders #financialexecutive #peopleonthemove #businessjournal #inthenews #revenue #profit #announcements #teamnews #media #saas #b2b #b2c #nonprofit

Diving into the world of IPOs? Your financial model is your story – are you ready to tell it? In an age where the buzz around IPOs 📈 is louder than ever, it's crucial to step back and ask: Is your company truly ready for the public spotlight🔦? The journey to IPO is paved with meticulous planning, financial scrutiny, and strategic foresight🔮. It's not merely about being profitable 💰or having a unique product🚀; it's about demonstrating to potential investors that your business model is sustainable, resilient, and capable of scaling. One often overlooked aspect is the importance of a robust financial model 📊– a tool that can make or break your company’s narrative to investors. It’s not just numbers on a spreadsheet; it’s a story about where your company has been and where it’s headed. Moreover, in today's fast-paced market environment, agility in financial planning and analysis (FP&A) becomes your steering wheel 🚗 through unpredictable terrains. So, before you ring that opening bell 🔔 on the stock exchange floor, ensure every facet of your organisation 👥 is aligned with the rigorous demands of public market accountability. From tax compliance to corporate governance and investor relations - preparation extends far beyond the balance sheet. Hi, I am Asheesh Chatterjee a CA, CMA (India & UK) and an alumnus of Kellogg School of Management, I love talking about building blocks for the next level of growth and excellence #IPO #CFO #CEO #founders #CHRO

Turning Shareholder Exits into Golden Opportunity - when a shareholder leaves, it can feel like a big change, but it’s also a chance to steer the company towards new and exciting opportunities. Let's explore how to make this transition into a success story: 1. Fresh Leadership, Fresh Ideas A new leader means new ideas and fresh perspectives. This can be the spark that drives innovation and growth. Look for leaders who can strategically guide the company forward and lead the company into its next chapter. 2. Stronger Decision-Making Revisiting and updating how the company is run can make decision-making more effective and strengthen overall management. Take this time to update governance documents and shareholder agreements to reflect the best practices and current needs of your business. This will ensure smoother operations and clearer decision-making processes. 3. Better Financial Health Changing ownership can be a strategic move to improve the company’s finances, especially if the buyout involves smart investments. Explore different funding options to strengthen the company’s financial foundation. This could involve seeking out strategic investors or restructuring current financial arrangements to support long-term growth. 4. Smoother Operations The transition period is the perfect time to streamline operations and make your processes more efficient. Conduct a thorough review of how things are currently done and look for ways to improve. Implementing these changes now will set the company up for smoother operations moving forward. 5. Boost Reputation Effectively communicating your succession plan can boost your company’s reputation, presenting it as stable and forward-thinking. Develop a clear communication strategy to showcase the company’s stakeholders strengthens and market positioning. 6. Broader Network and Reduced Risk Bringing in new shareholders or partners can diversify risks and expand the company’s network and resources. Seek out strategic partners who can provide additional support and open up new opportunities. 7. Driving Innovation New leadership can be a catalyst for innovation and exploring new market opportunities, which can lead to significant growth. Foster a culture of innovation within the company. Encourage new initiatives and support ideas that align with the company’s strategic goals. By focusing on these opportunities, you can turn the departure of a shareholder into a strategic advantage. This ensures your company not only navigates the transition smoothly but also sets the stage for continued success and growth. So, instead of seeing a shareholder’s exit as a setback, view it as a golden opportunity to refresh, innovate, and strengthen your business. Reflecting on your own experiences, how do you believe embracing change during shareholder transitions can redefine the trajectory of your company ? Mike Ellwood #exitplanning #businessstrategy #growthmindset

Thrilled to be included in Nina Trentmann’s latest CFO Briefing on Bloomberg! As Nina points out, venture building remains top priority for business leaders globally. Leaders are eager to explore new opportunities to tap into new value pools. She specifically highlighted and asked about the gap between CEOs and CFOs in our recent survey and what might be driving this. Our research suggests CFOs are prioritizing short-term financial success while CEOs are thinking about the future, creating friction over which objectives demand immediate attention. CFOs are correct to be cautious about spending. However, overlooking new revenue opportunities could prevent them from gaining a competitive edge and securing long-term success. CFOs and CEOs will need to collaborate more effectively to balance growth potential and cost management. https://lnkd.in/eHhnhwW5 #LeapbyMcKinsey #NewVentureBuilding

Private equity acquisitions can be a rollercoaster, but with the right strategy, we can steer our companies towards success. Here are 6 key strategies to foster growth and drive success: ✅Forecasting with Finesse: crunching numbers is just the beginning. Understand the story behind them to earn stakeholder trust. #Forecasting #Analysis ✅Craft Your Narrative: have a strong viewpoint and stick to it. Align with your PE firm while keeping a steady eye on company-wide goals. #Efficiency #Accuracy ✅Build Trusting Partnerships: collaboration is key. Foster relationships with stakeholders to drive consensus and make informed decisions. #CFOCommunity ✅Break Down Silos: finance teams are the glue that binds different functions. Encourage cross-functional collaboration for better business outcomes. #Teamwork ✅Own Accountability: hold teams responsible for meeting financial objectives. Track investments rigorously and ensure they yield returns. #Accountability ✅Embrace Change: a successful team is your biggest asset. Don't hesitate to make necessary changes for long-term growth. #Leadership Don’t navigate the post-acquisition journey alone! Reach out at www.newtoncarmen.com to explore how we can elevate your strategy together. Let’s make 2024 our year of growth! #CFOs #newtoncarmen #FinanceStrategy #CFOInsights #AcquisitionGrowth

The road to an IPO is far more than a financial challenge—it's a true test of leadership, resilience, and character. For a CFO, it’s a delicate balancing act—juggling tight deadlines, managing team expectations, and guiding key stakeholders through necessary changes, all while staying grounded in personal and operational commitments. #IPO #Resilience #BusinessTransformation

2021 IPOs: sink or swim? 🏊♂️ Turns out, a mix of long-tenured CEOs, classified boards, and unique governance structures helped these companies navigate the choppy waters of going public. Using the comprehensive data we collect at Diligent Market Intelligence, we analyzed governance trends from the record-breaking 2021 IPO year — over $100 billion raised and plenty of fascinating insights to unpack. From CEO tenure to board independence, these companies showed how governance can shape success in a high-stakes market. The best part? Our work was featured on the Harvard Law School's Forum on Corporate Governance! Writing this report with Rachit Gupta and Kiki Yuxuan Z. was an incredible journey, and seeing it published on such a prestigious platform is a career highlight for me. Harvard is kind of a big deal, right? If governance trends, CEO tenure, and board dynamics are your thing, check it out on the link below.