О том как Парабеллум IPO делал

Не давно набрёл на вот такой вот пост интересный

www.softwareceo.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1270

Посколько после того, как я постил товарищ Парабеллум быстренько подчищал свои профайлы (ссылка на facebook) уже не работает, то я решил от ныне тут же всё и постить.

Для тех кто не знает английского, то переведу:

In the last 12 months we were working on a biometric middleware project that will link different biometric hardware with different 3rd party software (access control, time & attendance, etc.) right out of the box. We have a working pilot, some of our clients are very interested in it and we will have a full version of the software for sale in about 2 months.

Здесь Парабеллум объясняет, каким именно программным обеспечением он разрабатывает. О этом чуде проэкте я погорю попоже, поскольку я очень долго пытался понять, что же это такой.

These 2 companies found out about our products and (since biometric market is very hot) want to take my company public using «pink sheets» and «shell company».

Здесь он говорит, что какие-то 2 компании хотят сделать из его компании публичную компанию или сделать так называемое Первое Публичное Предложение или просто говоря IPO. Один этот факт уже смешон. IPO — это по сути процесс продажи своих акций на бирже акций. Это очень сложней процесс и занимает в среднем от 6 до 18 месяцев для довольно крупной компании.

And without a sales team we are going to continue to crawl to the market with inadequate speed.

Здесь Парабеллум говорит, что у него нет команды продавцов. БРЕД!!! В северной америки без продавцов тут даже не компания, а пустышка.

We just released a beta version of our product and already have one of the big players in biometrics interested in it.

Хммм… Тут говорится, что существует какой-то бета прототип и что какая-то мифическая и разбирающаяся в этом деле компания уже заитересовалось в нём. Почему же Парабеллум не пишет название этой компании. А я знаю — потому что эта компания существовала только в это воображении.

12-30-2004, 10:02 PM

xssoftware Forums Contributor Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 3

Need help with potential IPO or buyout Hello everyone! I really appreciate reading your inputs and now I really need your help. I am totally I have been approached by 2 companies with an offer to take our biometric company public. We have been working on biometric Time & Attendance software since 1998 — we have a small niche market (mostly manufacturing) and slowly expanding into it — in bootstrap mode. In the last 12 months we were working on a biometric middleware project that will link different biometric hardware with different 3rd party software (access control, time & attendance, etc.) right out of the box. We have a working pilot, some of our clients are very interested in it and we will have a full version of the software for sale in about 2 months. These 2 companies found out about our products and (since biometric market is very hot) want to take my company public using «pink sheets» and «shell company» (I am still new in M&A and IPO scene and I do not truly understand the lingvo I visited one of them (I think it was an affiliate that does stock promotion) and what I saw reminded me of «Boiler room» movie — similar tactics, telemarketing room, hype,… Another one sounds too shady as well — he was talking about taking _his_ new «shell» public and starting trading and he is trying to talk me into signing a «technology licensing» contract with him and a «private label» version of our product in return to some shares. (I am still not clear how he wants to do it, but from the sound of it he wants to take his company public with our product and technology) Both of these companies do not have a lot of experience with software industry (some experience with high-tech, but not a lot). I can sense that something is not «kosher» in either one of these scenarios and do not want to loose an ownership of my technology and my company over a lot of promises of tons of money. On the other hand, we have a lot of technical experiense and our clients love our products, but we do not have resourses to build a solid sales team. And without a sales team we are going to continue to crawl to the market with inadequate speed. I am really not planning to sell out our company or cash out and disappear, just trying to raise some money to make it better What questions you would ask them? How would you check their references? Should I hire a lawyer or M&A consultant to represent my side? (there is a layer from their end, but it does not mean much for me) What else would you ask? I really appreciate your help!!! Thank you and Happy Holidays! Best regards, Andrei Kossyrine 12-30-2004, 10:47 PM Bert Vermeulen Moderator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, California, Europe Posts: 283 My immediate reaction is to be very very careful. The folks you describe don’t appear to be like the professional investment bankers I normally work with. In particular, I would find out: — What happens to ownership control when they «take you public?» — How these people will be paying themselves from the deal? If you can continue to operate in bootstrap mode and wait for someone to pay you cash for your business, or shares that trade on a stock exchange, you may be better off. Remember that it will take a lot of time and attention to court investors and to serve them once they have placed money in your company. Public companies that don’t trade on an exchange (ie pink sheets), have a reputation for being used by people trying to make a fast buck. If the prospects for the business for the next 1-2 years look good, you will probably have better opportunities and will end up with more in your pocket if you maintain control of the business during this time. If any of these investors will directly pay you cash in your pocket to buy the business, then you might look at their offer seriously. If they only propose to attempt to help you sell shares in the business, what will happen if they are not successful? There are other types of investors you should also investigate for capital. In particular, I would look at angel investors who know this industry and can help the business. You might also be able to establish a strategic relationship with a larger firm that can help market your products. I definitely recommend that you find someone who you trust that understands the process and alternatives, and who does not have a financial stake in the outcome. If you have an accountant, that is a good place to start. Your banker may also have inputs. If you don’t know a good M&A lawyer or advisor, ask your accountant or banker who they might know. Otherwise, do you have any family or long-term friends that have any related experience or can provide pointers to someone who has the right skills and whom you could trust? These are some quick thoughts off the top of my head. Let me know if you would like more specifics and I will provide further observations. __________________ Bert Vermeulen Thank you very much for your advice! We decided to go forward with our products in bootstrapping mode untill we find a right investor. We just released a beta version of our product and already have one of the big players in biometrics interested in it. Thanks again and Happy New Year! Andrei Kossyrine