The Long Road to an IPO Begins Before the Filing
The Long Road to an IPO begins with the part of a public listing that never appears in the photograph from the exchange. The Information and the New York Stock Exchange are bringing founders, finance leaders, advisers, and investors together in San Francisco to examine the preparation that starts well before a company files.
Crystal Shen, Head of West Coast Capital Markets at NYSE, will join Kate Claassen, Managing Director and Chairman of Global Internet Banking at Morgan Stanley, for a conversation moderated by The Information reporter Dakin Campbell. The November 10 program combines a cocktail reception with a panel at The Howard.
Why this room matters now
An IPO is often described as a capital event. It is also an operating transformation. Reporting systems, governance, investor communication, forecasting discipline, executive readiness, and the company's relationship with uncertainty all face a different level of scrutiny. Those changes can begin years before the market sees a prospectus.
The official audience includes companies considering an IPO in the next 18 to 24 months, earlier-stage startups evaluating that path, and, if space permits, investors and finance professionals advising pre-IPO companies. That mix should keep the conversation close to the decisions leaders make before the timetable becomes public.
What the evening is built around
- Preparing a company for the operating demands of public markets
- Building relationships with advisers, exchanges, and long-term investors
- Governance, reporting, and financial discipline before a filing
- Deciding when public capital fits the company's next stage
- Lessons from finance leaders working with pre-IPO companies
Who should have it on the radar
The event is relevant to founders, CFOs, finance executives, board members, investors, and advisers working with companies that may enter the public markets. The organizer prioritizes companies considering an IPO and earlier-stage teams studying that path.
Event details
- Date: November 10, 2026
- Time: 5:30-7:30 p.m. PT
- Venue: The Howard, 661 Howard Street, San Francisco
- Hosts: The Information and the New York Stock Exchange
- Register: Official event page
Attendance criteria, capacity, speakers, and agenda details can change. Use the official event page for the latest information.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is The Long Road to an IPO?
2026-11-10. 5:30-7:30 PM PT.
Where is the event?
The Howard, San Francisco, CA.
Who is organizing the event?
The Information, New York Stock Exchange.
How do I register?
Use the official registration page: https://www.theinformation.com/events/the-long-road-to-an-ipo
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