Conference Agenda

Asia Go IPO Summit Agenda

8:00-9:00 a.m.
Light breakfast and coffee

9:00 a.m.
Welcome and Introductory Remarks from Drew Bernstein

MarcumAsia’s Co-Chair, Drew Bernstein, welcomes the attendees and sponsors and provides an overview of cross-border IPOs and SPACs from Greater China and Asia, growing interest among U.S. investors, and the challenges and success factors for listing in the U.S.

9:20 a.m.
State of the U.S. IPO Market, NASDAQ

NASDAQ’s Chris Hao introduces recent listing and trading data for NASDAQ-listed companies, explains the exchange's role in supporting companies before and after listing, and discusses the key listing criteria that private companies must meet to list on NASDAQ.

9:45 a.m.
Elements of IPO Success: What Investors Expect

This panel discussion will provide frank perspectives and current market information to help guide management in determining whether a U.S. IPO is right for their company. Topics to include:

  • What criteria must a company meet to be suitable for an IPO?

  • How much money can be raised in an IPO, and how is the valuation set?

  • Which sectors and industries are of greatest interest to investors today?

  • What special considerations do companies from Greater China face when listing in the U.S.?

  • What important work needs to take place before meeting underwriters?

  • What are the most common reasons new public companies fail to reach their objectives after the IPO?

Moderator: Crocker Coulson, CEO, AUM Media

Speakers:

David Boral, CEO, D. Boral Capital

Selina Cheung, Head of Unified Global Banking, APAC, UBS

Frank Giglio, CEO, Hong Kong, BNY

Alex Ji, Manging Director, Maxim Group

Kamal Masud, Senior Investment Banker, Roth Capital

10:45 a.m.  

Coffee and Networking Break

11:15 a.m

IPO Case Study: How They Did It? - Company TBA

This is a behind-the-scenes look at one of the highest-profile IPOs from Greater China in the past 12 months. Company management, their underwriters, and legal counsel will explain the path to choosing a US listing, the challenges overcome, and the lessons learned.

11:45 a.m.                                                     
SPACs: Advantages and Lessons Learned

After enjoying a boom period in 2020 and 2021, often referred to as “SPAC-mania,” SPACs lost their luster due to high redemption rates and more complex SEC regulations. However, 2025 has seen a surge in new SPAC IPOs, and several high-profile deals have been completed with Asian issuers. Hear from CEOs, investment bankers, and advisors about the advantages and challenges of a de-SPAC.

Moderator: Crocker Coulson, CEO, AUM Media
Speakers:

Kester Ng, Co-CEO, Black Spade Acquisition I and II

Brandon Sun, Managing Director, Cohen & Co.

12:30 p.m.  
Luncheon

1:00 p.m.

Luncheon Keynote Speaker & Fireside Chat:

TBA

1:45 p.m.                                       
Preparing for the IPO: Legal, Accounting, and Audit

Building the right team of advisors is crucial for capitalizing on market opportunities and navigating the SEC registration process efficiently. Learn about the roles of your auditor, internal accounting firm, SEC legal counsel, and other key advisors in the IPO process. How can you select the right firms, develop your internal team, and manage the costs associated with a cross-border IPO?

Moderator: Drew Bernstein, Co-Chair, MarcumAsia

Speakers:

Richard Anslow, Partner, Ellenoff Grossman & Schole

David Danovich, Partner, Sullivan & Worcester

Joshua Kaufman, Co-Chair, Capital Markets, DLA

Ying Li, Partner, Hunter Taubman

Eric Luo, Founding Partner, JS Capital

Joy Pan, Partner, MarcumAsia

2:30 p.m.

Special Challenges for PRC Companies: Navigating the US-China Divide

Companies from the PRC face special challenges when seeking to go public in an era of heightened geopolitical conflict. This panel will deal with several sensitive issues, including:

  • How can companies obtain approval from the CSRC to list overseas, and what are the implications for deal timing?

  • How can you manage the risks of attracting unfavorable attention from U.S. political figures, including the House Select Committee on the CCP?

  • How can Chinese companies make themselves attractive to global fund managers?

Moderator: Crocker Coulson, CEO, AUM Media

Speakers:

James Tunkey, COO, I-On Asia

3:00 p.m.

Coffee and Networking Break

3:15 p.m.                                                         
Developing a Following on Wall Street: IR, Research Coverage, and Trading

While some may think that ringing the opening bell on the first day of trading is the end of the IPO journey, it is only the beginning. New public companies must proactively engage with investors to develop liquidity in the stock and attract an institutional following. Learn about the elements of success, including analyst coverage, non-deal roadshows, investment conferences, and frequent and accurate disclosures. The discussion will also cover the intelligence tools available to track your shareholder base and anticipate activist investor activity. 

Moderator: Mellissa Kong, Director, Asia, AUM Media

Speakers:

Crocker Coulson, CEO, AUM Media 

Esther Luo, Director, Nasdaq

3:45 p.m.                                                        

Tapping the Markets: Shelf Offerings, ATMs, and PIPEs

One of the principal advantages of a U.S. listing is the flexibility to conduct follow-on offerings to raise multiple rounds of growth capital. This is particularly important in sectors such as life sciences, technology, or AI, which may require intensive investment over multiple years to reach scale or approval of drug candidates. Learn about the options to tap the equity and debt markets, including registered directs, ATMs, PIPEs, and convertibles, as well as the “toxic” structures that can destroy shareholder value.

Moderator: Crocker Coulson, CEO, AUM Media

Speakers:

Edric Yi Guo, Chief Executive Officer & Head of Investment Banking, Univest Securities, LLC

Stephanie Hu, Co-head of Investment Banking, D. Boral Capital

Mark Zagotti, President, Cathay Securities, Inc.

Arila Zhou, Partner, Robinson & Coe

4:20 p.m.                                                       

M&A as a Public Company                                                                    

Public companies have greater flexibility to make acquisitions using their equity as currency and generally have greater access to the debt markets as well. This panel will teach you how to use M&A to drive global expansion, acquire valuable IP, and consolidate market share. Experienced dealmakers will discuss the secrets of due diligence, deal multiples, financing alternatives, and extracting synergies.

Moderator: Vincent Xiao, MarcumAsia

Speakers:

4:50 p.m.                                                          

Closing and Thank You

Drew Bernstein, MarcumAsia 

5:00-6:30 p.m.                                      

Cocktails and Hors d’Oeuvres