Event Review

Event Review: CSE Go Public Boot Camp – Vancouver Edition

For many entrepreneurs, the decision to go public is a significant milestone. Getting to that point, however, requires sound preparation and the right partners around the table.

Fortunately for those seeking to go public in Canada, there is now more choice, innovation and value than there has ever been in the past.

To help entrepreneurs navigate the journey to going public, the Canadian Securities Exchange organized their first ever Go Public Boot Camp. This event, co-sponsored by McMillan LLP, brought interested entrepreneurs together with a great team of thought leaders from across the capital markets landscape who offered their perspectives on important components of the public listing process.

Included in the list of presenters were:

  • James Black – VP Listings Development, CSE
  • James Munro – Partner at McMillan LLP
  • Quinn Martin – Audit Principal at Davidson & Company LLP
  • Simon Thomas – VP at Computershare Canada
  • Mark Faulkner – VP Listings and Regulation, CSE
  • Justin Meiklem – VP of Sales and Marketing at Stockhouse
  • Bryan Henry – Senior Investment Advisor, PI Financial
  • Brayden Sutton – President Sutton Ventures

Collectively, these presenters covered topics relevant to the process of taking a company public. Subjects discussed included how to properly prepare financial statements for a public listing, the importance of working with right brokers, what it takes to successfully structure a capital raise and much more.

To view the full set of presentations, check out the videos below or visit the CSE YouTube channel here.

Alongside the presenters and panelists were members of the CSE team including Mark Faulkner, Vice President Listings and Regulation, who provided an in-depth look at the requirements and better practices for successfully listing on the CSE.

Unlike a fitness boot camp, where the goal is to run around, attendees of the Go Public Boot Camp were glued to their seats. The thoughtful speakers in combination with the Q&A session definitely resonated with the audience, who were keenly interested in hearing about the shifting landscape of capital markets and how to overcome hurdles to raising capital in Canada.

All entrepreneurs know that learning ‘on the job’ comes with the territory.  For attendees of the CSE Go Public Boot Camp, in addition to learning what it takes to go public, the more valuable lesson learned was how to prepare to do so well. That is a distinction that can save time, money and ultimately bring entrepreneurs one step closer to reaching that significant milestone.