Question 1

What is Directly Listed?

Accepted Answer

Directly Listed is an end-to-end institutional technology platform that helps companies raise capital and go public — covering Regulation D 506(b) and 506(c), Regulation A+, Regulation S, post-listing PIPE placements, NASDAQ and NYSE direct and conventional listings, and institutional equity lines of credit (ELOC). One platform stages your offering, attracts investors, processes funds, and manages shareholder communications, with SEC-licensed attorneys, consultants, and listing advisors coordinated under a single flat fee.

Question 2

Is Directly Listed a broker-dealer, investment advisor, or funding portal?

Accepted Answer

No. Directly Listed is a B2B institutional technology platform — not a registered broker-dealer, investment advisor, or funding portal. Offerings are conducted by issuers in reliance on their own securities exemptions, with compliance workflows built into the software. Directly Listed does not offer investment advice, does not recommend investments, and does not assess the suitability of any investment for any investor.

Question 3

How does the process work, step by step?

Accepted Answer

There are five steps. 1) Book a call so our team can match the right exemption, exchange, and timeline to your business. 2) Stage your offering — after due diligence we configure the deal, prepare and file your SEC forms, and build your branded investment page. 3) Launch — your offering page goes live with its own Invest Now button, embeddable on your existing website. 4) Market — we help turn your earliest supporters into advocates, then widen the funnel with campaign marketing. 5) Receive funds — close subscriptions and access capital in tranches or as a lump sum on your timeline. For Reg A+ specifically, companies typically raise $4 million to $75 million per year: there is no legal minimum, but the fixed costs of a Reg A+ mean it is rarely efficient below roughly $4 million.

Question 4

What does Directly Listed handle versus what I handle?

Accepted Answer

Directly Listed handles the heavy lifting: SEC filings and forms, investor relations, shareholder services, transfer agent and DTC coordination, real-time data dashboards, digital payment processing, KYC/AML, campaign marketing and investor acquisition, funnel analytics, and eSignature with a full audit trail. You provide accurate company information, the underlying business and financials, audit cooperation, and final decisions on deal terms such as valuation, raise amount, and voting rights.

Question 5

Do I need to be a U.S. company to use Directly Listed?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily. U.S. and many non-U.S. companies can use the platform, and Regulation S specifically supports raising capital from international investors through offshore transactions, often run alongside a Regulation D round. Eligibility depends on your structure, jurisdiction, and the exemption or listing path you choose, which we scope during your initial call.

Question 6

What is Directly Listed's AML policy?

Accepted Answer

All investors who initiate investments on the Directly Listed platform must pass KYC/AML screening before completing their investment — no investor is accepted without it. Accreditation verification for Reg D 506(c) offerings is likewise handled automatically as part of the investment process, so compliance is built into your raise rather than bolted on. For you as an issuer, that means the investor file behind every subscription is clean, documented, and ready for diligence, closing, and any later exchange or regulatory review.

Question 7

What is the Live Offerings page?

Accepted Answer

The Live Offerings page is where your company markets its offering and engages prospective investors. During the pre-offering, testing-the-waters stage no investing is done: you solicit non-binding indications of interest, learn how compelling investors find your company and terms, refine the offering, and decide whether to move forward with an SEC filing. Prospective investors can ask questions and make non-binding reservations so you — and Directly Listed — can assess real demand before you spend on the formal process. Once your offering is qualified or your exemption is live, the page carries your Invest Now flow. Completed and live raises are also profiled in Current Deals & Case Studies.

Question 8

What is “Testing the Waters”?

Accepted Answer

Testing the waters (TTW) is the SEC-permitted practice of marketing your potential Reg A+ offering before filing, to gauge investor interest with few restrictions. Run well, a TTW campaign of a couple of months tells you clearly whether your offering will attract sufficient demand — before you commit to audit, legal, and filing costs. Two cautions: all TTW materials must carry the required SEC legends and follow the communication rules (see the marketing words to avoid below), and do not stay in test mode too long — companies that stretch TTW for six months while the audit or filing lags risk losing their earliest, most enthusiastic would-be investors. Plan the timing of audit, filing, and marketing before you start creating enthusiasm; it is always easier to create excitement once.

Question 9

Which raise structures does Directly Listed support?

Accepted Answer

Twelve: Regulation D 506(b), Regulation D 506(c), Regulation A+, Regulation S, Section 4(a)(2) Private Offerings, PIPE (post-listing), NASDAQ Conventional Listing, NASDAQ Direct Listing, NYSE Conventional Listing, NYSE Direct Listing, Equity Line of Credit (ELOC), and the Cayman Islands Structure for cross-border issuers. They can be combined — for example, a private Reg D round now, an exchange listing later, and an ELOC for committed capital after you list.

Question 10

What is the difference between Regulation D 506(b) and 506(c)?

Accepted Answer

Both let you raise an unlimited amount, but the marketing rules differ. Reg D 506(b) is a private, quiet raise: no general solicitation or advertising, an unlimited number of accredited investors, up to 35 non-accredited but sophisticated investors, and self-certified accreditation. Reg D 506(c) lets you advertise publicly and generally solicit, but every investor must be an accredited investor whose status you take reasonable steps to verify. A practical rule of thumb: choose 506(b) when you are raising from people you already know, and 506(c) when you want to market the raise openly. Either way, the company files a simple Form D with the SEC, the securities sold are restricted for one year, and Reg D pairs naturally with Regulation S for non-U.S. investors — it is the workhorse for pre-listing rounds.

Question 11

Can I do a Reg D 506(c) offering on Directly Listed?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Rule 506(c) offerings are a core product: you can advertise your raise publicly and accept unlimited capital from accredited investors, with accreditation verification, KYC, and AML built into the platform's investment flow. Your offering gets a branded page with an embeddable Invest Now button, and funds move directly from investors to your bank account. Many issuers run a 506(c) alongside a Reg S tranche for international investors, or as the pre-listing round before a NASDAQ or NYSE listing.

Question 12

What is Regulation A+ and how much can I raise?

Accepted Answer

Regulation A+ is a capital-raising framework created by the SEC under Title IV of the JOBS Act, effective 2015. It allows companies to raise up to $75 million per year (Tier 2) from individual “Main Street” investors worldwide — regardless of wealth — as well as from accredited investors and institutions. Companies may test the waters first, and a completed Tier 2 offering qualifies the company for public quotation on the OTCQB (and readily the OTCQX) or, where exchange standards are met, a NASDAQ or NYSE listing. Reg A+ dramatically improves funding prospects for companies too small for a conventional IPO or without access to a private placement or venture capital: start-ups and growth companies can raise from many smaller investors who become shareholders — customers included.

Question 13

What is Reg S or Regulation S?

Accepted Answer

Regulation S allows companies to raise capital from investors outside the United States through offshore transactions, without U.S. registration. Non-U.S. investors are not required to be accredited, and Reg S is a natural complement to Reg D: U.S. accredited investors invest through the Reg D while international investors invest through the Reg S, run side by side. The SEC also permits non-U.S. companies to raise outside the U.S. under Reg S (or their home rules) while accessing U.S. accredited investors via Reg D — the standard structure for international issuers entering the U.S. market.

Question 14

What is a PIPE, and when does it happen?

Accepted Answer

A PIPE — private investment in public equity — is institutional capital placed directly into your company after it lists, at a negotiated price. It is a post-listing tool, used to bring in committed institutional money once you are public rather than during the private phase.

Question 15

What is an Equity Line of Credit (ELOC)?

Accepted Answer

An Equity Line of Credit (ELOC) is a committed standby equity facility from institutional investors that lets a public company draw capital when it needs it, on its own timeline — up to $350M in committed capital after listing. Rather than raising a fixed amount at once, you draw down in tranches over time, which gives you control over dilution and timing.

Question 16

Can I combine multiple raise structures?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and many issuers do. A common path is a private Regulation D 506(b) or 506(c) round to build momentum, a Regulation S sleeve to add offshore investors, then a NASDAQ or NYSE listing, with a PIPE or ELOC providing committed capital after you go public. We map the sequence during scoping so the structures are compliant and do not create integration problems.

Question 17

Beyond Reg A+ and Reg D — how else can Directly Listed take my company public or fund it after listing?

Accepted Answer

Exempt offerings are half the toolkit. Directly Listed also manages full exchange listings and post-listing capital: a NASDAQ Direct Listing or NYSE Direct Listing takes your company public without an IPO — no underwriting discount, no mandatory lockup, opening price set by the market; a NASDAQ Conventional Listing or NYSE Conventional Listing adds a registered primary offering so you raise new capital as you go public. After listing, an Equity Line of Credit (ELOC) gives you committed standby capital to draw on your own timeline, and a PIPE places institutional capital — from family offices, VCs, PE firms, and hedge funds — directly into your company at a negotiated price. Many clients sequence these: a Reg D or Reg A+ raise pre-listing, the listing itself, then an ELOC or PIPE for follow-on capital.

Question 18

What is the difference between Tier 1 and Tier 2 Reg A+ offerings?

Accepted Answer

Tier 2 allows up to $75 million per year and preempts state “Blue Sky” registration (with limited exceptions), which is why most companies choose it. There is no SEC minimum — the notion that Tier 2 “starts at $20 million” is a misconception; many successful Tier 2 offerings raise well below that, though the fixed costs make raises under roughly $4 million inefficient. Tier 2 requires an upfront US-GAAP audit covering up to two years (since inception for younger companies) and ongoing reporting after the offering: management financial statements every six months and an annual US-GAAP audit. Tier 1 permits up to $20 million per year and requires no SEC audit before filing — but you must qualify the offering under the Blue Sky rules of every state you accept investors from, which is slow, expensive, and in merit-review states unpredictable. Many states require audited financials for Tier 1 anyway. Tier 1 works best for banks and issuers with existing state exemptions and a concentrated local investor base; for nearly everyone else, Tier 2 is the practical choice.

Question 19

Is Regulation A+ an IPO?

Accepted Answer

Strictly, no — a Reg A+ offering is an exempt public offering, not a registered S-1 IPO — but it can be used to take your company public: companies have completed listings on the NYSE and NASDAQ via Reg A+ (see our case studies). Listing is optional. Advantages of the Reg A+ route: investors are liquid immediately with no lockup; you can set a zero minimum, complete the raise even if you miss exchange thresholds, and uplist later; SEC qualification typically takes around 90 days; and legal and audit costs run well below a conventional S-1 IPO. A cost-effective middle path is listing on the OTCQB or OTCQX first — any completed Tier 2 offering qualifies for OTCQB — keeping Reg A+-level reporting (an annual US-GAAP audit is the largest ongoing expense) with the option to uplist once established. After completion, Reg A+ shares can be bought and sold by the general public through stockbrokers whether or not you list.

Question 20

How does Reg A+ compare with a reverse merger?

Accepted Answer

Buying a public shell is one way mid-sized companies go public, but it is expensive, complex, and often burdened by the negative history of the failed company whose shell you are buying — we do not recommend it. A Reg A+ offering is simpler, less expensive, and gives you a clean, fresh public vehicle. The $75 million-per-year cap does mean companies raising larger amounts may need other routes — a conventional listing with a registered offering, or a direct listing paired with an equity line or PIPE for capital.

Question 21

What's the difference between Regulation A+ and Reg CF equity crowdfunding?

Accepted Answer

Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF) is the JOBS Act's small-offering framework: raises are capped far below Reg A+ levels, must run through a registered funding portal or broker-dealer, and carry per-investor limits. Regulation A+ allows up to $75 million per year, worldwide marketing, testing the waters, and a path to OTC or exchange quotation — at the cost of an SEC qualification process and (for Tier 2) audited financials and ongoing reporting. As a rule of thumb: Reg CF suits very early community raises; Reg A+ suits companies raising roughly $4 million and up that want scale, liquidity options, and a public-market trajectory; and Reg D suits unlimited raises from accredited investors. We help you pick the exemption that fits before any money is spent.

Question 22

Can I run a Security Token Offering (STO) through these exemptions?

Accepted Answer

Yes — since the SEC made clear that most token offerings are securities transactions, the full body of securities regulation applies, and the same three frameworks carry STOs: Reg D 506(c), Reg S, and Reg A+. A token that is a security need not mirror a share of stock — the issuer defines the rights assigned. In practice: Reg A+ offers liquidity and no accreditation requirement but requires a U.S. or Canadian entity, so most non-U.S. token issuers use Reg D 506(c) paired with Reg S; convertible notes can be used to raise before tokens exist, converting later through the Reg D; the one-year Reg D restriction must be built into the tokens and smart contract; and Form D is a simple filing. STOs demand thorough compliance work with expert securities counsel — which the flat fee covers on our platform.

Question 23

Regulation D 506(b), in depth — how does it work?

Accepted Answer

Regulation D 506(b) is a private placement that lets you raise an unlimited amount of capital from people you already know, without any general solicitation or advertising. You may sell to an unlimited number of accredited investors plus up to 35 non-accredited but financially sophisticated investors, and accreditation is self-certified rather than independently verified. Because you cannot publicly market a 506(b) round, it relies on a pre-existing, substantive relationship with each investor. If you include any non-accredited investors, you must provide them with disclosure comparable to a registered offering, including audited financial statements, which raises the cost and effort — so most 506(b) rounds stay accredited-only in practice. The securities are 'restricted' (resale is limited, typically under Rule 144), you file a Form D with the SEC within 15 days of the first sale, and the offering is a 'covered security' that preempts state blue-sky registration (state notice filings and fees still apply). Best fit: founders raising quietly from their own network, friends-and-family-plus, or existing investors, who do not want to advertise the deal.

Question 24

Regulation D 506(c), in depth — how does it work?

Accepted Answer

Regulation D 506(c) is a private placement that lets you advertise your raise publicly and accept an unlimited amount of capital, on the condition that every purchaser is an accredited investor whose status you verify. Unlike 506(b), general solicitation and general advertising are expressly permitted — you can promote the offering on your website, social media, email, and at events — which is why it pairs naturally with campaign marketing. The trade-off is that self-certification is not enough: you must take 'reasonable steps to verify' each investor is accredited, through income or net-worth documentation (W-2s, tax returns, brokerage and bank statements) or a written confirmation from a CPA, attorney, registered broker-dealer, or investment adviser. Directly Listed builds this verification into the investment flow. The securities are restricted for resale, you file a Form D within 15 days of first sale, and the offering preempts state blue-sky registration. Best fit: issuers who want to market the raise openly and turn customers, audience, and the public into accredited investors.

Question 25

Regulation A+ (Tier 1 and Tier 2), in depth — how does it work?

Accepted Answer

Regulation A+ is a 'mini-IPO' that lets you raise from the general public — both accredited and non-accredited investors — under a qualified offering. It has two tiers. Tier 1 allows up to $20 million in a 12-month period and has no ongoing SEC reporting, but it is subject to state blue-sky review (often via a coordinated review process). Tier 2 allows up to $75 million in a 12-month period, requires two years of audited financial statements, preempts state blue-sky registration, and carries ongoing reporting — an annual Form 1-K, semiannual Form 1-SA, and current Form 1-U. Non-accredited investors in a Tier 2 deal are subject to investment limits (generally no more than 10% of the greater of their annual income or net worth) unless the securities are listed on a national exchange at qualification. The core document is the Form 1-A offering statement, which the SEC must 'qualify' before sales close, and Reg A+ uniquely allows 'testing the waters' — gauging investor interest before you file. The securities are generally freely tradable, which is a key advantage over Reg D. Best fit: consumer or community brands that want to open a public, marketable raise and potentially build a path toward a listing.

Question 26

Regulation S, in depth — how does it work?

Accepted Answer

Regulation S is a safe harbor that lets you raise capital from non-U.S. investors in offshore transactions that fall outside U.S. registration requirements. Two conditions anchor it: the sale must occur in an 'offshore transaction,' and there must be no 'directed selling efforts' aimed into the United States. Depending on the issuer and the security, a 'distribution compliance period' applies, during which the securities cannot flow back to U.S. persons; the platform tracks this period as part of compliance. Reg S is most often run in parallel with a domestic Regulation D 506(b) or 506(c) round, so a single capital raise can reach U.S. accredited investors and offshore international investors simultaneously without integrating the two in a way that breaks either exemption. There is no dollar cap of its own — the limit comes from whatever you can raise offshore. Best fit: companies with meaningful international investor demand, family offices, or diaspora communities abroad who want to invest alongside a U.S. round.

Question 27

PIPE financing, in depth — how does it work?

Accepted Answer

A PIPE — private investment in public equity — is a privately negotiated placement of securities by an already-public company to institutional or accredited investors, usually at a price referenced to the public market (often a modest discount). It is a post-listing tool: you use it after you are public to bring in committed institutional capital quickly, without the time and expense of a registered follow-on offering. PIPEs are typically structured under Regulation D, so the shares are restricted when issued; the deal almost always includes registration rights, and the issuer files a resale registration statement (Form S-1 or S-3) so the PIPE investors gain liquidity once it is declared effective. Structures range from straight common stock to convertible preferred, convertible notes, or common stock with warrants, depending on what the investors require. The advantages are speed, price certainty, and a known investor; the considerations are dilution and the discount. Best fit: newly listed or established public companies that need growth or balance-sheet capital and want a fast, negotiated raise from sophisticated investors.

Question 28

Equity Line of Credit (ELOC), in depth — how does it work?

Accepted Answer

An Equity Line of Credit (ELOC) — also called a standby equity facility or standby equity distribution agreement — is a committed arrangement in which an institutional investor agrees to purchase, at the issuer's election, up to a fixed dollar amount of newly issued shares over a set period, with Directly Listed arranging facilities of up to $350 million in committed capital. Instead of raising a fixed amount at one price, the public-company issuer controls the timing and size of each 'draw' (or 'put'), selling shares at a price referenced to the prevailing market (typically at a small discount) when capital is needed. This puts dilution and timing under the issuer's control — you draw little or nothing when the stock is weak, and more when it is strong. An ELOC requires an effective resale registration statement covering the shares, and works only for listed or listing-track companies with enough trading liquidity to absorb the draws. Best fit: public companies that want flexible, on-demand capital as a financing backstop rather than a single large raise, and that want to manage dilution opportunistically.

Question 29

NASDAQ Direct Listing, in depth — how does it work?

Accepted Answer

A NASDAQ direct listing takes your company public on the Nasdaq Stock Market by registering existing shares for trading, without an underwritten IPO and without issuing new underwritten shares — so there is no underwriter discount, no traditional roadshow, and no dilution from a primary offering. Existing shareholders and the company gain a public market and liquidity; a reference price is established and the stock opens through Nasdaq's price-discovery process. You still must register the resale of shares with the SEC (typically a Form S-1, or Form 10 in some structures), complete Edgarization, and meet Nasdaq's quantitative and qualitative listing standards — which vary by tier (Nasdaq Global Select, Global Market, or Capital Market) and cover items such as shareholders' equity or market value, public float, a minimum bid price (commonly $4, with alternatives), a minimum number of round-lot holders, and corporate-governance requirements. Directly Listed assesses your company against the right standard, closes any gaps, and manages registration and the exchange application end to end. Best fit: companies that are already well-capitalized and want a public market and shareholder liquidity rather than to raise new primary capital at the moment of listing.

Question 30

NASDAQ Conventional Listing, in depth — how does it work?

Accepted Answer

A NASDAQ conventional listing pairs going public on Nasdaq with a registered primary offering, so you raise new capital at the same time you list. You file a registration statement (typically a Form S-1) that the SEC must declare effective, complete Edgarization, and satisfy the same Nasdaq listing standards as a direct listing — shareholders' equity or market-value tests, public float, minimum bid price, round-lot holders, and governance — for the tier you target (Global Select, Global Market, or Capital Market). The difference from a direct listing is the simultaneous capital raise: you sell newly issued shares to investors as part of going public, which means dilution but also fresh primary capital on the balance sheet. Under the Directly Listed model this is handled on a flat-fee basis with SEC-licensed attorneys, listing advisors, and the platform's investor and payment infrastructure, rather than a percentage-of-raise underwriting spread. Best fit: companies that both want to be listed on Nasdaq and need to raise new growth capital at the moment they go public.

Question 31

NYSE Direct Listing, in depth — how does it work?

Accepted Answer

An NYSE direct listing lists your company on the New York Stock Exchange — the 'Big Board' — by registering existing shares for trading, without an underwritten IPO or new underwritten shares, giving existing holders liquidity without the dilution and underwriting spread of a conventional IPO. As with Nasdaq, you register the resale of shares with the SEC, complete Edgarization, and the stock opens via the exchange's price-discovery mechanism overseen by a Designated Market Maker (DMM). The NYSE applies its own listing standards — for example, minimum numbers of round-lot holders, a minimum quantity of publicly held shares, an aggregate market value of publicly held shares, and a minimum price — together with corporate-governance requirements; exact thresholds depend on the standard you qualify under. Directly Listed manages listing readiness, SEC registration, Edgarization, DMM coordination, and the exchange application end to end. Best fit: companies that want the prestige and liquidity of an NYSE listing and are focused on a public market for existing shares rather than raising new primary capital at listing.

Question 32

NYSE Conventional Listing, in depth — how does it work?

Accepted Answer

An NYSE conventional listing combines listing on the New York Stock Exchange with a registered primary offering, so you raise new capital 'at the bell' as you go public on the Big Board. You file a registration statement (typically a Form S-1) through SEC effectiveness, complete Edgarization, and meet the NYSE's listing standards — round-lot holders, publicly held shares, aggregate market value of public shares, minimum price, and governance — for the relevant standard. The defining feature versus a direct listing is the concurrent sale of newly issued shares, which raises primary capital but is dilutive. The Directly Listed model runs this end to end on a flat platform fee plus an equity grant, with SEC-licensed attorneys, listing advisors, market-maker coordination, and the platform's investor onboarding, eSignature, and payments — instead of a conventional underwriting spread. Best fit: companies that want an NYSE listing and need to raise new capital at the same time they go public.

Question 33

What types of companies are best suited to Regulation A+?

Accepted Answer

The companies that succeed with Reg A+ resonate strongly with consumer investors: recognizable consumer brands, companies with passionate customer bases or communities, mission-driven businesses, real estate vehicles, and mid-sized companies with a clear story ordinary investors can grasp quickly. For startups, the same test applies — a product or company that consumers love and want to own a piece of fits; a complex B2B story that requires study does not. Companies without inherent consumer appeal are the single biggest cause of underperforming offerings, so we assess fit honestly before you commit. Where Reg A+ is the wrong tool, a Reg D institutional raise or a direct listing may fit better — that assessment is part of scoping your deal.

Question 34

How can I raise capital for my real estate company using Reg A+?

Accepted Answer

Reg A+ has been especially successful in real estate: income-producing properties, development projects, and REIT-style vehicles appeal naturally to yield-seeking Main Street investors. Offerings funding a specific asset purchase must set the minimum high enough to complete the purchase, which front-loads the burden; diversified vehicles can use a low minimum and close weekly. For platforms with segmentable strategies, the SEC has qualified the multiple-entity model pioneered in real estate — standalone Reg A+ entities sharing one management service provider, each raising up to the annual cap — allowing simultaneous offerings. Real estate issuers should note that funds structured as registered investment companies cannot use Reg A+, so vehicles are structured outside the Investment Company Act with securities counsel.

Question 35

Can I use Reg A+ if my company is not in the U.S.?

Accepted Answer

Yes — by setting up a U.S. or Canadian entity (most choose a Delaware C-Corporation; an LLC or LP also works) that conducts the offering. The entity must have primarily U.S.-based executives and board members, a legitimate business role, and real rights to the underlying business — enough to satisfy the SEC and to be credible to investors. The operating business can remain outside the U.S. Alternatively, international companies can skip the entity requirement entirely by raising through Reg D 506(c) (U.S. accredited investors) paired with Reg S (everyone else), or pursue a full U.S. listing as a foreign private issuer on Form F-1 — cross-border structuring is a particular focus of our practice.

Question 36

Who can invest in a Reg A+ offering?

Accepted Answer

Almost anyone, worldwide. Main Street investors do not need to be wealthy to invest in a qualified Reg A+ offering; the only limit is that non-accredited investors may invest up to 10% of their annual income or net worth (excluding their home) per company, Tier 2 only, self-verified — issuers are not required to independently confirm. Accredited investors are unlimited. International investors are welcome subject to their own country's rules: following Canadian regulatory limitations, most Reg A+ offerings do not accept Canadian Main Street investors unless the issuer obtains approval from the relevant Canadian provinces. For issuers this breadth is the point — your customers, community, and the general public can all become shareholders.

Question 37

How many investors am I allowed to have with Regulation A+?

Accepted Answer

There is no cap on the number of investors in a Reg A+ offering — thousands of shareholders are normal and are part of the model's appeal. Reg A+ Tier 2 also provides a conditional exemption from mandatory Exchange Act registration under Section 12(g) even with a large shareholder count, provided the company uses an SEC-registered transfer agent, remains current in its Reg A+ reporting, and stays within the rule's size thresholds — one reason a registered transfer agent (which we coordinate) is standard practice. Our platform is built to process high investor volumes: payments, KYC/AML, subscription documents, and shareholder services at scale.

Question 38

Can a private equity or hedge fund raise capital using Reg A+?

Accepted Answer

Generally no — Regulation A+ is not available to registered investment companies or business development companies, which excludes typical pooled investment funds. Real-estate and operating vehicles structured outside the Investment Company Act (REIT-style structures, for example) can and do use Reg A+. Funds themselves raise through Reg D private placements instead — and PE firms, hedge funds, VCs, and family offices appear on our platform primarily as the institutional investors funding issuer clients through PIPEs and equity lines.

Question 39

Can my company use Reg A+ if it is already publicly held?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Since Congress amended the rules in 2018, SEC-reporting companies may use Reg A+ — it has become a practical follow-on tool for OTC-quoted and smaller exchange-listed companies that want to raise from their shareholder base and the public without a full S-1. Reporting companies satisfy Reg A+ ongoing-report obligations through their existing Exchange Act filings. Listed companies can also compare a Reg A+ against a PIPE or an equity line of credit for follow-on capital — we help you weigh cost, dilution, and speed across all three.

Question 40

Do I have to take my company public to use Regulation A+?

Accepted Answer

No. Listing is entirely optional: you may complete a Reg A+ raise and remain privately held, quote on the OTCQB/OTCQX, or proceed to a NASDAQ or NYSE listing — the choice is yours, and you can defer it. You may even restrict post-offering liquidity in your offering terms, though doing so usually reduces investor appeal. Most issuers provide at least an OTC quotation because investors value the liquidity.

Question 41

Can I use Reg A+ for a management buyout, spin-out, or acquisition?

Accepted Answer

Yes — Reg A+ proceeds can fund acquisitions, including management buyouts and spin-outs, and the offering can be structured around the transaction. Two cautions: the offering minimum must be sufficient to complete the purchase (a heavier upfront burden than a low-minimum raise), and where you are acquiring a business, the SEC will generally require audited financial statements of the target to be included in your offering statement — plan the target's audit into your timeline. Structure these with securities counsel early; the flat fee covers ours.

Question 42

What is the difference between a direct listing and a conventional listing?

Accepted Answer

A direct listing takes your company public on NASDAQ or the NYSE without a traditional underwritten IPO and without the dilution of new underwritten shares. A conventional listing pairs the listing with a registered primary offering, so you raise new capital at the same time you go public. Directly Listed supports both on both exchanges: NASDAQ Direct, NASDAQ Conventional, NYSE Direct, and NYSE Conventional.

Question 43

Can I go public on NASDAQ or the NYSE without an IPO?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A direct listing lets you list on NASDAQ or the New York Stock Exchange — the Big Board — without an underwritten IPO. Directly Listed manages listing readiness, SEC registration, Edgarization, and the exchange application end to end.

Question 44

How long does a direct listing take?

Accepted Answer

It depends primarily on audit readiness and SEC review cycles. Typical engagements run several months from kickoff through effectiveness and exchange approval. We scope a specific timeline during your quotation, and the biggest variable you control is how quickly audited financials and diligence materials are ready.

Question 45

What does my company need to qualify for a NASDAQ or NYSE listing?

Accepted Answer

Each exchange sets quantitative and qualitative listing standards covering items such as shareholders' equity, public float, share price, number of round-lot holders, and corporate governance. The exact thresholds vary by exchange and listing tier. During scoping we assess your company against the relevant standard and flag any gaps to close before applying, so you do not file an application you are not ready to pass.

Question 46

What is Edgarization, and do you handle it?

Accepted Answer

Edgarization is the process of converting and formatting your SEC filings into the format required by EDGAR, the SEC's electronic filing system, and submitting them. Directly Listed handles SEC registration, Edgarization, and the exchange application as part of an end-to-end listing engagement.

Question 47

What are the listing requirements for NASDAQ?

Accepted Answer

For most Reg A+ issuers the relevant tier is the NASDAQ Capital Market, and a company must satisfy one of three standards in full. The primary consideration is the market value of publicly held stock — stock in the hands of investors, not insiders. Example: if pure investors held shares worth $5 million at your offering valuation before the raise, NASDAQ requires you to raise at least $10 million in the offering ($5M + $10M = $15M publicly held). Key thresholds across the Equity, Market Value, and Net Income standards include: net income of $750,000 (Net Income standard only); market value of publicly held shares of $15 million ($5 million under the Net Income standard); market value of listed securities of $50 million (Market Value standard only); 1,000,000 publicly held shares; 300 round-lot shareholders; a $4.00 bid price (or $3.00 closing-price alternative); stockholders' equity of $4–5 million; three market makers; and, for the Equity standard, a two-year operating history. Governance requirements — an independent board majority and audit committee — apply alongside the quantitative tests. NASDAQ has been tightening several standards; confirm the live NASDAQ Initial Listing Guide before applying, and ask us for a free qualification review of your numbers.

Question 48

What does Directly Listed charge?

Accepted Answer

Every deal is quoted individually: a flat platform fee plus an equity grant at signing, both set by the scope of services and your company's stage. Our SEC-licensed attorneys, consultants, and listing advisors are paid out of that flat fee — there are no separate legal bills. You pay only third-party costs on top, such as audits, legal opinions, transfer agent and DTC fees, and exchange fees.

Question 49

What is included in the flat fee, and what costs are separate?

Accepted Answer

Included: SEC filings and forms, the work of SEC-licensed attorneys, consultants and listing advisors, your branded investment page, investor relations and shareholder services tooling, payment processing, KYC/AML, eSignature, and dashboards. Separate third-party costs typically include independent audits, outside legal opinions, transfer agent and DTC fees, and exchange listing fees. These are disclosed so you can budget the full picture before you sign.

Question 50

How do I get a quote?

Accepted Answer

Tell us about your company and we scope your raise, then issue a deal-specific quotation — a flat platform fee plus an equity grant at signing. The fastest way to start is to book a call so we can match the exemption, exchange, and timeline to your goals before quoting.

Question 51

How much does a Regulation A+ offering cost?

Accepted Answer

Total cash cost: a reasonable flat fee plus equity to Directly Listed, with third-party fees paid directly to each provider. The primary pre-launch expenses are marketing content creation, the Form 1-A legal filing, and the Tier 2 audit. We recommend having roughly $175,000 available before you begin — the largest items being marketing creative, the audit (for complex businesses), and legal — because although the SEC permits offering expenses to be paid from proceeds in most well-prepared offerings, starting with enough cash gives you runway if the early weeks are tougher than expected. It is possible to start with less, and it can work; but start with enough and spend carefully (we help with this) so you can adjust and succeed. Typical component costs: specialized SEC legal, around $50,000; a Tier 2 audit, roughly $20,000 for a simple company and more for complex ones; marketing, commonly the equivalent of 4% of the raise for an easy-to-sell offering and 6–9% more typically (paid as budgeted spend, not charged as a percentage).

Question 52

What is the cost of taking my company public using Reg A+?

Accepted Answer

On top of the offering costs: registering for a ticker on the OTCQB runs about $2,500 with an annual renewal fee (currently five figures — confirm OTC Markets' live schedule), and OTCQX costs more with quarterly reporting and executive background checks. Ongoing OTCQB reporting — an annual US-GAAP audit plus six-month financial reports — typically lands between $60,000 and $100,000 per year depending on your scale and providers. If your company meets NASDAQ or NYSE standards, exchange annual fees are materially higher (on the order of $85,000 on NASDAQ and $50,000-plus on NYSE), legal costs for an exchange IPO start around $100,000 and rise when a broker-dealer is involved, and the full burden of S-1-level reporting applies after listing — far heavier than OTCQB reporting, which matches Reg A+ Tier 2. Many companies therefore list on the QB first and uplist when established.

Question 53

How much does a Reg D offering cost?

Accepted Answer

A reasonable flat fee — inclusive of the legal work — plus equity. There is no SEC qualification process for Reg D: Form D is a simple filing made within 15 days after the first sale, so Reg D is the fastest and lowest-cost route on the platform. 506(c) offerings add accredited-investor verification, which our platform automates.

Question 54

How much does a Regulation S offering cost?

Accepted Answer

A flat fee inclusive of the legal work and some marketing, plus equity. Because Reg S is usually run in parallel with a Reg D raise, most of the structuring cost is shared across the combined offering.

Question 55

What is an appropriate minimum capital raise for my offering?

Accepted Answer

The SEC qualifies offerings with no minimum, and a low minimum is usually the right choice: once you exceed it, the first closing can occur, your company can pay ongoing marketing from investment proceeds, and closings can then run weekly to move funds to your bank account. The exception is an offering funding a fixed-price asset purchase (a company or property), where the minimum must be sufficient to complete the purchase. A low minimum also makes early traction visible — which matters, because in the open forum of a Reg A+ offering, success in the first few weeks signals all interested parties that the offering is going well.

Question 56

What kind of audit is needed for a Tier 2 Reg A+ offering? Do I need a PCAOB audit?

Accepted Answer

Tier 2 requires audited financial statements for the prior two years (a one-year-old company files a one-year audit) in the offering statement and in annual reports, prepared under US GAAP with an unqualified audit opinion — filings with non-GAAP financial statements are bounced immediately without review. A PCAOB-registered audit is not required for the Reg A+ itself, and Tier 1 requires no SEC audit at all — but PCAOB-level audits are required to list on NASDAQ or the NYSE, so companies planning an exchange listing should engage a PCAOB-registered firm from the start. Choose an audit firm with a Reg A+ track record and no price or schedule surprises: the audit is the critical-path item, and delayed audits are the single biggest logistical reason offerings fail. High-quality mid-sized firms typically treat smaller issuers as a priority and hold their price better than big-name auditors.

Question 57

Can I raise more than $75 million in a year?

Accepted Answer

Not through a single Reg A+ — the Tier 2 cap is $75 million per company per 12 months. Companies needing more can run a concurrent Reg D (unlimited, accredited investors) and Reg S (unlimited, non-U.S. investors) alongside the Reg A+, structured with counsel to respect integration rules; use the multiple-entity model where each standalone entity raises up to the cap (qualified by the SEC so far in real estate); or step up to a registered offering — a conventional NASDAQ or NYSE listing — or list and then draw committed capital through an equity line of credit or place a PIPE.

Question 58

How long does a Regulation A+ offering take?

Accepted Answer

Expect roughly 4 to 6 months end to end, including about a month of testing the waters. The fastest route runs marketing preparation and the Form 1-A SEC filing in parallel: with a low funding minimum, a first closing about 90 days after starting the filing and the marketing agency is achievable. SEC qualification of a completed filing currently takes roughly two to three months. Plan two to three months of marketing — refining the offering and building reservations — either in parallel with or before the SEC process, then one week to three months (sometimes longer) for the fundraising itself; the SEC permits extended selling periods, but marketing costs mount while you stay live. The single biggest timeline lever is how effective early marketing was: a large backlog of reservations converts quickly once you are qualified. The parallel approach carries some cost risk (you learn how appealing the offering is after committing roughly $50,000 to legal), but less risk of investor enthusiasm fading during a long test period.

Question 59

What is the timeline for a Reg A+ IPO to the NASDAQ or NYSE?

Accepted Answer

Add the exchange workstream to the offering timeline: while the Form 1-A is in SEC review, the NASDAQ or NYSE listing application, symbol reservation, and qualification review run in parallel, with a Form 8-A registering the class under the Exchange Act at qualification so trading can begin promptly. A PCAOB audit (required for the exchanges) and governance readiness — independent directors, audit committee — should be built from the start rather than retrofitted. Most engagements of this kind complete in the same four-to-nine-month window as our direct listings, driven mainly by audit readiness. See the case studies of completed Reg A+ exchange listings for real examples.

Question 60

What is the timeline for a Reg D offering?

Accepted Answer

Fast — the fastest on the platform. There is no SEC review: once your documents (PPM, subscription agreement) are prepared and your offering page is staged, a 506(b) or 506(c) raise can go live in weeks, and Form D is filed within 15 days after the first sale — a few days' work, not a lengthy process. The pacing item for 506(c) is investor accreditation verification, which the platform automates as investments come in.

Question 61

What is the timeline for a Reg S offering — or a combined Reg D/Reg S raise?

Accepted Answer

A Reg S tranche runs on the same fast track as Reg D and is typically launched simultaneously with the 506(c) so U.S. and international investors invest in parallel from day one. For token or convertible-note structures — where a note raise converts into the security later — add the instrument's own preparation time: the note offering can launch on the Reg D/Reg S timeline (weeks), with conversion mechanics and any Reg A+ follow-on layered on the standard Reg A+ schedule. Discount steps rewarding early note investors are permitted and commonly used.

Question 62

How do I make updates to my Reg A+ offering? Can I keep it open continuously?

Accepted Answer

Know the difference between amending and supplementing. Both happen after the SEC qualifies your offering (qualification is when the SEC releases the offering and you can accept investor funds). An amendment is required for a major change and sends the offering back through SEC review; a supplement covers non-major updates and requires no review. This structure is what makes continuous offerings practical: you can reserve stock for later sale and offer at prices that track the market, filing pricing information after each sale as a supplement — no weeks-long wait for re-qualification each time the market moves. To sell continuously you must be current in your annual and semiannual Reg A+ reports at the time of sale. (Terminology: your Reg A+ sales document is the “offering circular,” contained in the “offering statement” — the exempt-offering counterparts of an IPO's prospectus and registration statement.) You cannot omit the volume of securities offered; when final pricing is known it is filed with the SEC in a supplement.

Question 63

When marketing my offering, what words and phrases should I avoid?

Accepted Answer

This guidance applies to all marketing materials, in testing the waters and after qualification alike — careless wording can jeopardize your exemption. Avoid: “approve” (the SEC does not approve Reg A offerings; it reviews and qualifies them); “commit” or “soft commitment” during TTW (use non-binding indications of interest); “invest” or “investor” during TTW (use “indicate interest” — prospects are “potential investors” until qualification); “get in on the ground floor” (promises shares no one is assured of); hype and urgency such as “amazing,” “golden,” “jackpot,” “once in a lifetime,” or “the next Facebook” (use “exciting,” “unique,” “interesting”); promising or implying profits or returns (projections only conditionally, with forward-looking qualifiers); and “mini-IPO” as a literal description (a Reg A offering is an exempt public offering, not an IPO). Our compliance review of your creative, landing pages, emails, and button copy is part of the campaign marketing workflow, so these rules are enforced before anything ships.

Question 64

How can I make my Reg A+ offering succeed — and what mistakes should I avoid?

Accepted Answer

Success in a Reg A+ follows a consistent pattern: a company that resonates with consumer investors, first-rate marketing with front-loaded impact and budget, and visible traction in the first few weeks — because in an open public offering, early success is what convinces later investors (and broker-dealer syndicates, who engage only after consumer momentum is proven). Set a low funding minimum unless you are buying a fixed-price asset, so the first closing comes early and later marketing is paid from proceeds. The recurring mistakes: poor consumer fit (the single biggest cause of underperformance); do-it-yourself marketing (engage a proven agency and manage it hard); no broker-dealer syndicate option (syndicates must file with FINRA and be in your SEC filing from the start — you cannot retrofit one mid-offering); overlong testing the waters (enthusiasm goes cold while the audit or filing lags); audit surprises (the critical-path item); too little starting capital (a shoestring budget produces slow early traction that is very hard to recover from); U.S.-only investors (international investors are often cheaper to reach and in many offerings contribute more); and complex instruments (sell shares of common stock — notes, bonds, and preference structures confuse consumer investors deciding quickly at scale).

Requisito	Equity Standard	Estándar de valor de mercado	Net Income Standard
Ingresos netos (último año fiscal o 2 de 3)	N / A	N / A	$750,000
Valor de mercado, acciones que cotizan en bolsa	$15,000,000	$15,000,000	$5,000,000
Valor de mercado de los valores cotizados	N / A	$50,000,000	N / A
Acciones que cotizan en bolsa	1,000,000	1,000,000	1,000,000
Accionistas de lote redondo	300	300	300
Precio de oferta / cierre	$4.00 / $3.00	$4.00 / $3.00	$4.00 / $3.00
Patrimonio de los accionistas	$5,000,000	$4,000,000	$4,000,000
Creadores de mercado	3	3	3
Historial operativo	Dos años	N / A	N / A

Preguntes freqüents de l'emissor

Plataforma y cómo funciona

¿Qué es Directly Listed?

¿Es Directly Listed un broker-dealer, asesor de inversiones o portal de financiamiento?

¿Cómo funciona el proceso, paso a paso?

¿Qué maneja Directly Listed y qué manejo yo?

¿Necesito ser una empresa de EE. UU. para usar Directly Listed?

¿Cuál es la política AML de Directly Listed?

¿Qué es la página de Ofertas en Vivo?

¿Qué es “Probar las aguas”?

Elección de una estructura de recaudación

¿Qué estructuras de recaudación admite Directly Listed?

¿Cuál es la diferencia entre la Regulación D 506(b) y 506(c)?

¿Puedo hacer una oferta Reg D 506(c) en Directly Listed?

¿Qué es la Regulación A+ y cuánto puedo recaudar?

¿Qué es Reg S o Regulación S?

¿Qué es una PIPE y cuándo ocurre?

¿Qué es una Línea de Crédito de Acciones (ELOC)?

¿Puedo combinar múltiples estructuras de recaudación?

Más allá de Reg A+ y Reg D: ¿cómo más puede Directly Listed sacar mi empresa a bolsa o financiarla después de la cotización?

¿Cuál es la diferencia entre las ofertas Reg A+ de Nivel 1 y Nivel 2?

¿Es la Regulación A+ una OPI?

¿Cómo se compara Reg A+ con una fusión inversa?

¿Cuál es la diferencia entre la Regulación A+ y el crowdfunding de capital Reg CF?

¿Puedo realizar una Oferta de Tokens de Seguridad (STO) a través de estas exenciones?

Cada estructura de capital, en profundidad

Regulación D 506(b), en profundidad: ¿cómo funciona?

Regulación D 506(c), en profundidad: ¿cómo funciona?

Regulación A+ (Nivel 1 y Nivel 2), en profundidad: ¿cómo funciona?

Regulación S, en profundidad: ¿cómo funciona?

Financiamiento PIPE, en profundidad: ¿cómo funciona?

Línea de Crédito de Capital (ELOC), en profundidad: ¿cómo funciona?

Cotización Directa NASDAQ, en profundidad: ¿cómo funciona?

Cotización Convencional NASDAQ, en profundidad: ¿cómo funciona?

Cotización Directa NYSE, en profundidad: ¿cómo funciona?

Cotización Convencional NYSE, en profundidad: ¿cómo funciona?

Qué empresas encajan

¿Qué tipos de empresas son más adecuadas para la Regulación A+?

¿Cómo puedo recaudar capital para mi empresa inmobiliaria usando Reg A+?

¿Puedo usar Reg A+ si mi empresa no está en EE. UU.?

¿Quién puede invertir en una oferta de Reg A+?

¿Cuántos inversores puedo tener con la Regulación A+?

¿Puede una firma de capital privado o un fondo de cobertura recaudar capital usando Reg A+?

¿Puede mi empresa usar Reg A+ si ya cotiza en bolsa?

¿Tengo que sacar mi empresa a bolsa para usar la Regulación A+?

¿Puedo usar Reg A+ para una compra de gestión, spin-out o adquisición?

Salir a bolsa: NASDAQ y NYSE

¿Cuál es la diferencia entre una cotización directa y una cotización convencional?

¿Puedo salir a bolsa en NASDAQ o NYSE sin una OPI?

¿Cuánto tiempo lleva una cotización directa?

¿Qué necesita mi empresa para calificar para una cotización en NASDAQ o NYSE?

¿Qué es la Edgarización y la manejan ustedes?

¿Cuáles son los requisitos de cotización para NASDAQ?

Costos, tarifas y términos

¿Cuánto cobra Directly Listed?

¿Qué incluye la tarifa plana y qué costos están separados?

¿Cómo obtengo una cotización?

¿Cuánto cuesta una oferta de Regulación A+?

¿Cuál es el costo de sacar mi empresa a bolsa usando Reg A+?

¿Cuánto cuesta una oferta de Reg D?

¿Cuánto cuesta una oferta de Regulación S?

¿Cuál es una cantidad mínima de capital adecuada para mi oferta?

¿Qué tipo de auditoría se necesita para una oferta Reg A+ de Nivel 2? ¿Necesito una auditoría PCAOB?

¿Puedo recaudar más de $75 millones en un año?

Líneas de tiempo

¿Cuánto tiempo lleva una oferta de Regulación A+?

¿Cuál es el cronograma para una OPI Reg A+ en NASDAQ o NYSE?

¿Cuál es el cronograma para una oferta Reg D?

¿Cuál es el cronograma para una oferta Reg S — o una recaudación combinada Reg D/Reg S?

Ejecución de su oferta

¿Cómo realizo actualizaciones en mi oferta Reg A+? ¿Puedo mantenerla abierta continuamente?

Al comercializar mi oferta, ¿qué palabras y frases debo evitar?

¿Cómo puedo hacer que mi oferta Reg A+ tenga éxito y qué errores debo evitar?

¿Cuáles son los tres mayores riesgos para que mi Reg A+ tenga éxito?

¿Qué accionistas se vuelven líquidos primero en una oferta Reg A+?

¿Qué monto mínimo de inversión debo establecer por inversor?

¿Qué es el Formulario D de la SEC?

¿Cómo pueden mis inversores de Reg D revender antes de la marca de un año?

¿Qué pasa con las leyes Blue Sky y el registro de distribuidores-emisores de Nivel 1?

¿Cuál es la mejor situación para usar el Nivel 1?