IPO Application Eligibility Criteria | Espresso

IPO Application Eligibility Criteria

When thinking of going public with your company, one of the first things you need to do is determine if your company is even eligible to apply for an IPO. The rules of IPO are complex, and it can be difficult to determine whether or not your company meets all the IPO eligibility criteria. In this blog post, we will outline all the rules and regulations that govern IPO applications. So, to stay up-to-date, keep in mind these rules.

Published on 03 February 2023

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What are IPO Requirements in India?

As per the rules of IPO, there are a few conditions that must be met:

  1. The company must have been operating for at least three years.
  2. It should have made a profit in the two financial years preceding the issue of the IPO.
  3. A minimum net worth of Rs. 3 crores is also necessary to be eligible for an IPO in India.
  4. Furthermore, a float of at least 20% must be maintained. This means that 20% of the company's shares should be publicly traded.
  5. Last but not least, a SEBI-registered Merchant Banker has to audit the financial statements for compliance with IPO rules and regulations.

By adhering to these IPO rules, companies can make their way into the Indian stock market by raising funds through Initial Public Offerings or IPOs.

What are the Requirements for IPO Applications Set Forth by SEBI?

A corporation must satisfy certain requirements established by the Securities and Market Board of India to be qualified for listing and trading on an Indian stock exchange. These criteria include, among others:

  • First, the business has to have at least Rs 3 crores in net value.
  • Second, it had to be in operation for a minimum of three years.
  • Third, it has to have generated revenue in at least two of the last three fiscal years.
  • Fourth, the public should own minimum 25% of the business.
  • Fifth, there must be no qualifiers or exclusions in the three years' worth of audited financial accounts.
  • Sixth, it needs at least Rs. 1 crore in terms of investment.
  • Seventh, there must have been a net profit during the previous three years.
  • Eighth, the business shouldn't have fallen behind on any loans or overdrafts from banks or other financial institutions.

What Other Requirements Exist Besides the IPO Applications that NSE and SEBI have Mandated?

A few more prerequisites must be satisfied in addition to the IPO application, which the NSE and SEBI prescribe. The following criteria are stated below:

  • The firm must have been operating for at least three years, or at least two of those years should have been profitable. Additionally, it must possess a net worth of at least Rs. 3 crores.
  • In addition, no legal action must still be pending against the corporation, and a minimum of 25% of the stocks must be made available to the public.
  • It can use a merchant banker to apply for registration on the stock market. A financial intermediary that plans and oversees transactions in the equity and debt finance sectors is known as a merchant banker. Merchant bankers are frequently employed by businesses to aid in capital market cash raising. A merchant banker would assist a company with the pricing and execution of the IPO and will be in charge of maintaining shareholder connections once the shares have been listed on the stock exchange.

The Process of Applying for an IPO

The phases are as follows, and the procedure takes roughly six to eight months:

  1. Choosing merchant bankers: The first step in the IPO process involves selecting a merchant banker to oversee the entire process.
  2. Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) submission to SEBI: The second step is submitting the DRHP to SEBI. This document contains details of the company, the proposed IPO and its financial statements.
  3. Getting SEBI's approval: After the DRHP is submitted to SEBI, they will review it and issue their approval if all rules of IPO are followed.
  4. Setting the offer size and pricing range: After getting SEBI's approval, the company and its merchant banker have to decide on the size of the offer and the price range.
  5. Beginning of the IPO: The company and its merchant banker then start marketing the IPO to potential investors.
  6. Costing for the IPO: The company and its merchant banker also have to decide on the costs of the IPO.
  7. The book's release and distribution: The company and its merchant banker then have to decide on the book's distribution, including deciding which investment banks will manage it.

The Bottom Line

When qualifying for an initial public offering, rules and regulations must be strictly followed. Organizations must ensure that their company meets all criteria related to the rules of IPO, which can vary from country to country. Generally speaking, companies must have a minimum market capitalization to meet the IPO eligibility requirements.

Chandresh Khona
Team Espresso

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