What are the advantages of being publicly traded?

Think of a public listing as a tool that provides for the best growth-hack ever. Here's a few ways smart entrepreneurs can use a public listing to build a significantly more valuable business:

Acquire profitable private companies.

Going public to acquire private companies that are already profitable is the fastest and most reliable way to build a large and valuable business. As a public company, it is easier to source more acquisition opportunities, structure better favorable transaction terms, raise capital to finance the purchase and growth of acquired businesses, and easier to attract the best talent.

Attract, motivate and reward results.

As a public company, it is easier to attract, motivate and reward people through the use of stock options and warrants. This is particularly valuable for industries that rely on building a large independent or commissioned sales force, or for industries where there's strong competition for talent. In addition to the use of stock options for employees, the use of warrants can be extremely valuable when issued as part of a growth strategy to sales, marketing, distribution and business development partners.

Raise capital more efficiently.

When a company has a clear path and timeline to go public by direct listing, reverse merger or IPO, it is faster, easier and less dilutive to raise capital. After a company is publicly traded, it is even faster, easier and less dilutive to raise capital from a larger audience of public debt and equity investors who have interest in wider array of investment structures.

Summary:

Public companies have very significant advantages when completing acquisitions, raising capital, attracting the best talent, closing deals and increasing their business valuation.