Samil PwC: "Thorough Preparation Needed to Capture the Optimal IPO Timing"

Global IPO Strategies Presented at the 'Baby Unicorn Seminar'
"Global IPO Market Shows Signs of Recovery"

As uncertainties in this year's global initial public offering (IPO) market have increased due to factors such as the United States' imposition of reciprocal tariffs, there is a growing consensus that companies need to be thoroughly prepared in advance to identify the optimal timing for an IPO.

On the 24th, at the '2025 Global IR Journey: Challenges and Achievements of Baby Unicorns' seminar held at IFC Yeouido, Seoul, Ki-rok Kim, leader of the Global IPO Team at Samil PwC, is presenting on 'Global IPO, Why and When Should You Prepare?' Samil PwC

Samil PwC shared this perspective during the Global IPO Strategy Seminar at the '2025 Global IR Journey: Challenges and Achievements of Baby Unicorns' event held at IFC Yeouido, Seoul, on the 24th. Hosted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, the seminar brought together 27 companies selected as Baby Unicorns to share their experiences and achievements to date and to discuss future global expansion strategies.

Ki-rok Kim, leader (partner) of the Global IPO Team at Samil PwC, commented on global IPO trends, saying, "Despite various international uncertainties, the global IPO market continues to recover." He added, "In 2024, the IPO market has maintained an upward trend despite the U.S. presidential election and major economic risks in key European countries, and this trend persists even as the United States announces reciprocal tariffs on other countries." Kim also noted, "Currently, several domestic companies are considering listings on global capital markets, including in the United States."

The seminar also introduced the characteristics and listing requirements of capital markets in the Americas (United States and Canada) and Asia (Hong Kong and Singapore). In the United States, the quantitative requirements for listing are relatively lower and there is no preliminary review process like that of the Korea Exchange. However, there is a strong focus on whether the disclosures in the financial statements and securities registration statements are sufficient and appropriate. Kim explained, "Although there are differences by capital market, it generally takes more than 24 months from assessing a company's IPO readiness, to establishing an IPO roadmap, and finally obtaining regulatory approval." He advised, "Given the rapidly changing international landscape, where the window for IPO approvals can open and close quickly, thorough advance preparation is essential to capture the optimal IPO timing and maximize corporate value."

Meanwhile, Samil PwC provides integrated support for domestic companies facing challenges in the IPO preparation process through its dedicated Global IPO Team. In addition, the Unicorn Support Center offers one-stop advisory services for domestic startups, covering everything from founding and growth, to fundraising, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and both domestic and overseas listings.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.