Last but not least, floating on AIM is expensive. The last thing you want is an important task left undone and no-one taking responsibility for it. You will need good advisers by your side - indeed, a nominated adviser is required at all times according to the AIM admission criteria - and it is important to be clear from the start what the roles and responsibilities of each adviser will be. Shareholders will want to know that the company will continue making money when you are no longer involved with it. Indeed, if the company cannot continue without you at its helm, this is a poor indicator of its suitability for a flotation. If you go ahead with a flotation, make sure you have a good operational team in place to continue driving the business forward while you are tied up in the flotation procedure. You can expect to be consumed by the process for every waking moment of several months. However, a flotation is not always in a company's best interests, and there are many factors to consider.įar from being 'quick cash', the process of becoming a listed company is long and arduous. Nor does a company need a trading record to list on AIM.įloating on AIM allows a company to offer share incentives to its staff, raise its profile, and take advantage of certain tax benefits. Unlike the main market stock exchange, there is no requirement for a 25% public shareholding, and no minimum market capitalisation.

Since AIM opened in 1995, it has raised a collective £24bn for the 2,200 companies that have been admitted. If you are a company looking to expand through acquisition, floating on AIM could be a viable way to raise acquisition finance.

Aim companies list