FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What does Meraki mean?

    The word meraki (pronunciation: merak-kee) is a Greek adjective that describes doing something with soul, creativity, love and passion. 


    We're Meraki Deal Makers because we love doing deals.

  • Who is your ideal client?

    Any company can go public, including startups. There are no minimum revenue, asset, or profit requirements to go public in the United States. We routinely represent startups and early-stage companies with no revenue based on the strength of the entrepreneur & team. 


    However, our ideal client is a smart and growth-minded entrepreneur who is past the desparation/survival mode and is ready to scale their business and valuation.

  • Do you handle everything?

    Everything except raising capital, but we can point you in the right direction for that too!


    We develop the public listing strategy based on our clients' unique facts and circumstances, bring in all third-party professionals (accounting, audit, legal, etc.), advise clients through the process and manage everything on their behalf. We are the "CEO" of the initial public offering, direct listing or reverse merger. 


    We also provide strategic advice on business growth, acquisitions, financing, corporate communications, and more. 


    It's important to have a very experienced advisor to help you navigate the steps required for a private company to become publicly traded. Our team has facilitated many public listings that helped CEOs create more than $10 billion in shareholder value.

  • How much capital can be raised?

    For direct listings and reverse mergers, entrepreneurs can raise millions of dollars from their personal and professional networks, as well as through general advertising. 


    For initial public offerings, investment bankers can raise significant capital depending on the specific business and market conditions.


    As consultants, we do not raise capital for our clients. However, routinely introduce advertising agencies to companies pursuing a direct public offering, and we introduce investment banking firms to clients capable of completing an IPO.

  • What does everything cost?

    We charge an advisory fee payable in cash, but we are largely motivated by equity. As a result, we only engage with companies when we believe our process and strategies will help an entrepreneur build a larger and significantly more valuable business. 


    Third-party costs to complete a direct listing, reverse merger or IPO largely depend on the accounting, audit and legal expenses which varies based on many factors. 


    Note that it generally costs $20,000 to start the process.

  • What is a direct listing?

    We specialize in a type of direct listing where literally any size company can list their shares in the United States by following the same process used by larger companies to complete a traditional IPO - but without an investment banker. 

  • What is an IPO?

    The process to complete an IPO involves preparing financial statements, having them audited by a qualified auditor, preparing a comprehensive set of business disclosures, combining everything into a prospectus, filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, answering all of their questions, applying to trade on NASDAQ or NYSE, and when ready, an investment banking firm sells shares to their clients in the actual "Initial Public Offering."



  • What is a reverse merger?

    A reverse merger is when a private company goes public by merging into a company that is already publicly traded and takes over the board, management and business. 


    During the process, the private company must provide the same level of business and financial transparency required in a direct listing or IPO. 


    A company can go public faster by reverse merger, but these transactions come with a unique set of disadvantages.

  • Which stock exchange would my company trade on?

    Companies that complete an initial public offering will trade on the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ. 


    Companies that complete a direct listing or reverse merger typically trade on the OTC QB or OTC Pink and upgrade to a senior stock exchange whenever they qualify.

  • Who determines my valuation?

    Our managing member was formerly a partner of a 700+ person investment banking firm and analyst at two asset management firms. He has completed research, analysis, and evaluations on a wide range of companies. 


    With sufficient information about your business, he can provide a recommended valuation range for your company. However, the final valuation in a direct listing and reverse merger is determined by the entrepreneur. For initial public offerings, the investment bankers determine your valuation.

  • Will investors kick me out of my own company?

    You’ve been watching too many movies. Entrepreneurs and executive management are generally removed only if they engage in criminal, unethical or immoral behavior. 


    When investors are upset when management teams fail to deliver the promised performance, they typically just sell their stock rather than spend the time, money and headaches required to try and remove founders or management.


  • How did you start helping entrepreneurs go public?

    In 1999, our founder started a software company, promised investors that he'd take the company public and then struggled through the process since there were no advisors, law firms or investment bankers willing to help his startup go public. 


    Although it was a difficult process, he successfully took his first company public in a direct listing. Within a few years of his first direct listing, he took three more of his companies' public. We now help CEOs complete initial public offerings, direct listings and reverse mergers.

  • What are the requirements for a company to go public?

    There is no minimal amount of revenue or profitability required to become publicly traded. We've successfully taken several companies public with $0 in revenue. However, just because it's possible doesn't mean it makes sense.


    When a company is not presently profitable, the entrepreneur needs to evaluate how they will finance operations until they become profitable. 


    Companies with meaningful traction could attract an investment banker to raise capital in an IPO but all others would need to tap into their personal and professional networks before raising capital from others.

  • What are the requirements for a company to IPO?

    A company can IPO if it follows the rules and regulations around financial statement and business transparency, and has an investment banker interested in raising capital. 


    Very few companies ever qualify for an IPO because the team needs to be ready, the company needs to be interesting enough and investors need to have interest in funding. 


    However, any company can pursue a direct listing or reverse merger.

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