IR Services Investor Relations for Private and Pre-IPO Companies
IR readiness for private companies preparing for an IPO or a move to a national exchange, in place by the first trading day.
Private and pre-IPO companies often reach the public market with a strong business and no investor relations program. The months before a listing are the time to build one: a clear investment thesis, materials written for public-market investors, disclosure habits that will hold up as a public company and a list of the investors who should know the story. Hayden IR works with pre-IPO, emerging growth and newly public companies to put that foundation in place.
The first year after a listing sets expectations that are hard to reset, and the attention that comes with a small IPO can fade quickly. Azitra went public in June 2023 at $5.00 during a difficult period for biotech stocks and had fallen 75% when it engaged Hayden IR. We built a call-to-action investment thesis around its partnership with Bayer and its upcoming catalysts, ran targeted virtual roadshows and secured research coverage and conference invitations from ThinkEquity and Roth Capital.
What’s Included
IPO Readiness Review
An assessment of your story, materials, disclosure practices and IR resources against what public-market investors will expect.
Public-Market Investment Thesis
A thesis and messaging written for public investors, with the catalysts and metrics they will track.
Investor Materials
An investor presentation, fact sheet and corporate profile ready before the listing.
IR Infrastructure
An IR website, press release process, investor inquiry handling and earnings calendar in place for day one.
Post-Listing Investor Outreach
Introductions to investors and analysts beyond the original offering to broaden the shareholder base.
Uplisting Support
Investor and market support for companies moving from the OTC markets to a national exchange such as Nasdaq or NYSE American.
Banker and Analyst Introductions
Introductions to appropriate investment banks and research analysts when the company is ready.
How We Work
Assess Readiness
We review the story, materials and investor base, and identify the gaps to close before the listing.
Build the Foundation
We create the investment thesis, collateral and IR infrastructure the company will need as a public company.
Launch
We support communications around the listing and build the audience for the first earnings call.
Broaden the Base
After the listing, we introduce the company to new investors and analysts so attention continues after the deal.
What Success Looks Like
- An investor relations program in place on the first trading day
- A story public-market investors understand and can repeat
- Research coverage and conference invitations in the first year
- A shareholder base that extends beyond the original offering
Related Case Studies
NYSE American: AZTR
40%
Stock Increase From Engagement
Azitra
Dermatology Biotech
Nasdaq: TSSI
144%
Stock Increase in 2.5 Months
TSS, Inc.
AI Data Center Services
NYSE: ISDR
668%
Share Price Increase
Issuer Direct
Communications & Compliance TechnologyPrivate/Pre-IPO Companies FAQs
When Should a Private Company Start Investor Relations Before an IPO?
Start six to twelve months before the planned listing if possible. That allows time to build the investment thesis, materials and IR infrastructure, and to begin relationships with investors and analysts within the limits of securities rules. Companies that wait until after the IPO often spend their first year as a public company catching up.
What Does IPO Readiness Mean for Investor Relations?
For investor relations, IPO readiness means having a clear public-market investment thesis, an investor presentation and fact sheet, an IR website, a process for press releases and disclosure, a plan for quarterly earnings calls and spokespeople prepared for analyst questions. It also means knowing which investors and analysts should follow the company after the offering.
Can Hayden IR Help a Newly Public Company Whose Stock Has Fallen?
Yes. Azitra engaged Hayden IR after its stock fell 75% from its June 2023 IPO price of $5.00. Hayden IR built a new investment thesis around the company’s partnership with Bayer and upcoming catalysts, ran targeted virtual roadshows and secured research coverage and conference invitations from ThinkEquity and Roth Capital. Institutional ownership rose from 0% to 15%.
What Is the Difference Between an IPO and an Uplisting?
An IPO is a company’s first sale of shares to the public, usually alongside a listing on a stock exchange. An uplisting is a move by a company that already trades publicly, typically on the OTC markets, to a national exchange such as Nasdaq or NYSE American. Both require meeting exchange listing standards, and both are a chance to introduce the company to a wider investor audience.
