The Go Public Series Episodes
Continuing to Evolve: How Public Companies Stay Compliant, Agile, and Ready for What Comes Next
Mike Blankenship of Winston & Strawn on annual risk reviews for newly public companies — insurance audits, litigation trends, M&A readiness, and using public currency for strategic growth. (Go Public Series: Step 8 — Continuing to Evolve)
Institutionalizing Discipline: The Governance and Reporting Standards Every Public Company Must Master
Mike Blankenship of Winston & Strawn on SOX compliance after a DESPAC — governance structure, reporting cadence, internal audit controls, and the discipline that drives long-term public-company success. (Go Public Series: Step 7 — Institutionalizing Discipline)
Building Market Trust: Preparing Leaders and Messaging for Public Scrutiny
Mike Blankenship of Winston & Strawn on executive communication before going public — aligning messaging, preparing for analyst and investor scrutiny, and avoiding hype that erodes trust. (Go Public Series: Step 5 — Building Market Trust)
Undergoing Diligence: What Private Companies Must Prepare for in a DESPAC Transaction
Mike Blankenship of Winston & Strawn on D&O insurance before a DESPAC closes — the diligence phase, S-4 disclosures, tail coverage, and the risk framework targets must finalize pre-close. (Go Public Series: Step 4 — Undergoing Diligence)
Positioning the Deal: Crafting the Narrative and Economics Behind a DESPAC Transaction
Mike Blankenship of Winston & Strawn on how to choose a SPAC sponsor — evaluating track record, structuring deal economics, and building narratives that establish trust over hype. (Go Public Series: Step 3 — Positioning the Deal)
Organizing Advisors: Building the Team That Makes or Breaks Your DESPAC Transaction
Mike Blankenship of Winston & Strawn on choosing the right advisors for a DESPAC — vetting securities counsel, structuring D&O/cyber/crime insurance before the S-4, and why missing private D&O coverage creates serious litigation risk. (Go Public Series: Step 2 — Organizing Advisors)
Getting Ready: The Most Critical Step Before a DESPAC Transaction
Mike Blankenship of Winston & Strawn on internal readiness before a SPAC merger — self-audits, cap table cleanup, governance prep, and stress-testing projections. (Go Public Series: Step 1 — Getting Ready)