Preparing an SME for private equity or an IPO

Taking a business from six figures toward eight is not a slogan. It is a five-year board problem. Private equity and a public listing both require the same unfashionable things: numbers that can be trusted, a structure that does not collapse when the founder is on holiday, and a story about the market that survives diligence.

Get a clear picture first

IPO in 5 starts with an assessment of strengths, weaknesses and the real constraints — cash, concentration, people, governance. A plan that cannot be inspected between monthly meetings is not a plan.

A ready-made board

R W Progressive itself remains a personal practice: only Jayesh works there. When the five-year programme needs extra seats, specialists in finance, sales, marketing or growth are brought in for that mandate. Monthly meetings exist to force pace.

Choices for the owner

The point is not that every client lists. The point is that the owner can extract value in a way that fits their life: PE, succession, trade sale, refinance or a listing. Accountants who refer into IPO in 5 keep the compliance, tax and transaction relationships. The programme is built so a referral is safe.