This document discusses how private companies can go public by filing a registration statement, typically a Form S-1, with the SEC. It describes the key parts of the Form S-1 including audited financial statements, risk factors, information about officers and directors, and the intended use of proceeds. The registration statement requires extensive disclosures and misstatements can result in liability under Section 11 of the Securities Act for the issuer, officers, directors, and other parties. Hiring an experienced securities law firm is recommended to navigate the registration statement process and ensure all required disclosures are made.
How to Go Public Using a Form S-1 Registration Statement
1. how to go public using
Many private companies hire a going public lawyer to file a registration statement filing with the
SEC in connection with their going public transaction. The most commonly used registration
statement used by companies going public is Form S-1. Using a Form S-1, companies can avoid
the risks of reverse merger transactions and DTC chills.
Hamilton & Associates can design the appropriate going public transaction for your company
using an SEC registration statement. Hamilton & Associates Securities Attorneys can guide you
through the complex process of going public and assist you with the expansive disclosure
required in registration statements filed with the SEC.
About Registration Statements on Form S-1
Registration statements on Form S-1 have two principal parts which require expansive
disclosures. Part I of the registration statement is the prospectus which requires that the company
provide certain disclosures about its business operations, financial condition, and management.
Part II contains information that doesn't have to be delivered to investors.
Financial Statement Requirements in Registration Statements l Going Public Transactions
Financial statements included in a registration statement must be audited by a firm that is a
member of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board ("PCAOB"). SEC rules allow smaller
reporting companies to provide less financial information in their Form S-1 registration statement
than larger reporting issuers. Hamilton & Associates can help your company determine if it
qualifies for these reduced financial statement requirements.
Risk Factor Disclosures in Registration Statements l Going Public Transactions
The risk factor section of a registration statement describes the risks and uncertainties of
investing in the issuer. This may include limited financial resources, a limited operating history,
adverse economic conditions in a particular industry, lack of a market for the securities offered,
industry competition, government regulation, and/or reliance on key personnel or on a limited
number of suppliers, distributors, or customers.
Other Required Disclosures in Registration Statements l Going Public Transactions
This registration statement requires that the issuer identify its officers and directors and provide
information on the issuer's compensation and benefits plan, material transactions between the
issuer and its officers and directors, as well as material legal proceedings involving the issuer or
its officers and directors.
This section of the registration statement describes the distribution plan for the securities being
registered in the going public transaction including the offering size.
2. This section sets forth the planned uses of the proceeds from the sale of the securities being
registered in the registration statement.
Misstatements in Registration Statements used in Going Public Transactions
If the registration statement, at the time it becomes effective, contains an untrue statement of a
material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary to make other statements not misleading,
Section 11 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1933 imposes liability on the issuer and its
management as well as other third parties.
The Securities Act holds individuals who help prepare a registration statement on behalf of an
issuer responsible for any misrepresentations and omissions in the registration statement. Section
11(a) of the Securities Act, 15 U.S.C. § 77k(a), makes several categories of persons and entities
responsible for material misstatements or omissions in a registration statement.
A majority of the issuer's board of directors, as well as its principal executive officer or officers,
principal financial officer, and its controller or principal accounting officer, must sign the
registration statement used in the going public transaction. The issuer, as well as each signer is
subject to potential civil liability under § 11(a) of the Securities Act for material misstatements or
omissions in the registration statement. In addition, any person who controls the issuer or any
other responsible party is subject to liability.
In addition to the issuer and its officers and directors, attorneys, accountants and underwriters are
liable under Section 11(a) of the Securities Act.
If you are going to offer and sell securities, or go public using an SEC registration statement you
will need the assistance of an experienced securities law firm like Hamilton & Associates to help
you navigate through the SEC registration statement process to ensure all required disclosures
are made.
This informational memorandum about SEC registration statements and going public transactions
is provided as a general informational service to clients and friends of Hamilton & Associates Law
Group and should not be construed as, and does not constitute, legal and compliance advice on
any specific matter, nor does this message create an attorney-client relationship. For more
information concerning the rules and regulations affecting SEC registration statements, Rule 144,
Form 8K, FINRA Rule 6490, Rule 506 private placement offerings, Regulation A, Rule 504
offerings, Rule 144, SEC reporting requirements, 1933 Act registration statements on Form S-1,
S-8 and 1934 Act registration statements on Form 10, OTC Pink Sheet listings, OTCBB and
OTCMarkets disclosure requirements, DTC Chills, Global Locks, reverse mergers, public shells,
go public direct transactions and direct public offerings please contact Hamilton and Associates at
(561) 416-8956 or info@securitieslawyer101.com. Please note that the prior results discussed
herein do not guarantee similar outcomes.
3. Hamilton & Associates | Securities Lawyers
Brenda Hamilton, Securities Attorney
101 Plaza Real South, Suite 202 North
Boca Raton, Florida 33432
Telephone: (561) 416-8956
Facsimile: (561) 416-2855
www.SecuritiesLawyer101.com