The process to go public via initial public offering (IPO) or Direct Public Offering (DPO) involves a variety of steps. We have highlighted the major components to provide a basic understanding.

Going public via IPO:

The basic steps include:
- engage professional advisors
- organize corporate and financial books and records
- identify most appropriate legal and accounting resources
- complete financial audit
- identify investment banking firm
- complete registration statement
- file with Securities and Exchange Commission
- clear the SEC review and comment process
- complete the public offering
- file with the appropriate stock exchange

Going public via DPO:

The basic steps are virtually identical to those listed in the IPO section. The main differences are that a DPO is a Direct to Public offering, so there is no underwriter or investment banking firm involved in the process. As a result, the company itself is responsible for identifying at least the minimum number of investors that will qualify the shares for trading on a stock exchange.