IPOs are a crucial element in the tech ecosystem. They provide access to capital, liquidity for investors, and an avenue for increasing brand value. A successful public offering is an important milestone for every tech entrepreneur.

So, it’s no surprise that this week’s panel at NYC Tech Week, IPO journey in the era of AI, attracted a lively and engaged audience, eager for insights. I had the pleasure of participating in the discussion, which was sponsored by PwC and moderated by PwC partner Christina White.

Reverse mergers offer a range of advantages — both for shell companies seeking a private acquisition and for private companies looking to enter public markets without undergoing a traditional IPO. Because reverse mergers frequently involve shell companies, they trigger specific SEC disclosure requirements and often attract heightened regulatory scrutiny. This guide will help you understand what a reverse merger entails and what to expect from the process.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic changed everything, in-person shareholder meetings were standard. But mandated building closures and limits on the number of people allowed in a room became the norm for an extended time in 2020, creating obstacles and requiring companies to consider alternatives.

Navigating the private investment lifecycle is essential for companies seeking to scale, compete and ultimately reach public markets. This lifecycle includes a series of structured funding rounds — each aligned with a company’s growth stage and strategic goals. From early seed capital that fuels initial product development to later-stage funding that supports expansion or IPO readiness, every phase plays a critical role in building long-term value.

Presenting a financial report to leadership goes beyond numbers—it's about crafting a clear, compelling story that drives decision-making and aligns with business goals. This is your chance to shape strategy, highlight risks, and showcase company performance. Leadership teams seek focused insights, explained simply and purposefully.

This guide will help you prepare, structure, and deliver effective financial report presentations that resonate with leadership, emphasize key points, and inspire confident, informed action.

Fairness opinions play a critical role in mergers and acquisitions by providing boards and stakeholders with an independent assessment of a transaction’s financial fairness. These opinions support informed, defensible decision-making, especially in high-value or high-scrutiny deals. Unlike standard valuation analyses, a comprehensive fairness opinion considers not just valuation metrics but also deal structure, market conditions and potential alternatives.

When companies explore strategic consolidation, they are often faced with the decision to either pursue a merger or initiate a tender offer — two distinct pathways for combining corporate interests under a unified structure. A merger combines two entities into a single business after negotiations result in an agreement, while a tender offer involves the acquisition of one company’s shares by an acquirer that makes an offer to shareholders.

Determining the best option depends not only on what agreements the organizations can reach, but shareholder sentiment.

For decades, many American companies have relied on the global economy to provide them with the supplies, components, and talent they need to achieve their business goals. The recent introduction of new tariffs disrupts this balance, creating considerations that businesses must factor into their operations.

Tariffs involve adding a tax on imported goods paid to the government. In some cases, the institution of tariffs on imports from one country may lead other countries to place tariffs in retaliation, creating what is commonly called a “trade war.”

AI is transforming finance by automating tasks, enhancing accuracy, and generating strategic insights. To fully harness AI's power, finance professionals must familiarize themselves with the technology itself and need to master effective prompting—crafting questions and instructions for optimal results.

This guide explores tools, techniques, and strategies to maximize AI's potential, enabling efficient, data-driven financial reporting.

What a difference a single quarter makes. When DFIN conducted its Mergers and Acquisitions 2025 Trends Survey in December 2024, the M&A deal market was poised for a robust 2025. Now, that forecast seems a bit premature.

Back in December, 62 percent of finance leaders said they planned to increase their deal-making efforts. These decisions were driven by strategic growth plans, technological advancements, and a strong focus on risk management and integration.