7 Key Differences Between IPOs and SME IPOs

What are the Difference Between IPO and SME IPO

21 August 2024 Sandeep Wagle

Initial Public Offerings, or IPOs, have become common words heard in investing. IPO is rewarding for companies and the people who invest money in these companies. Companies can raise funds while people earn profits based on the company's earnings.

When speaking about Initial Public Offerings, two specific words come to mind. These are IPOs and SME IPOs. If you don't know about them, this blog will help clear it up and help you become an IPO expert.

We'll also cover all their features to identify between these two IPOs. It shows why stock market training courses are mandatory for investors.

What Do Initial Public Offerings Stand for and Mean?

Initial Public Offerings create ways for companies to raise money for future growth. Companies offer their shares to the public through this process. The benefits are why most companies in India sell their shares to the everyday population.

The pluses of offering company share to the population are:

  • • Gathering more money for future growth
  • • Increasing company awareness and expanding brand visibility
  • • Boosting company reputation from the public perspective

What does SME IPO stand for, and what does it mean?

It represents Small to Medium Enterprise Initial Public Offerings. This stock offering is where small-to-medium firms can raise money. SME stock offerings are solutions for smaller and medium-sized companies with growing needs.

IPOs & SME IPOs: 7 Key Differences Between Them

Firstly, these two stock options are not equal in any way. As a result, they are not identical investing options. To help the public, we have divided Initial Public Offerings and SME IPO based on seven features.

1. Qualification Standards

These are standards that companies must meet to be able to launch IPOs.

  • • IPOs
  • Legal and firm standards exist for companies to post initial public offerings. The concerned authorities will check the profitability, records, up-front capital, and shareholders. This process is watched by authorities, ensuring the complete legality of the process.

  • • SME IPO
  • Smaller businesses are not subject to these standards and have less strict standards. Up-and-coming enterprises with less capital needs can choose the SME IPO for fundraising.

2. Market/Listing

Bombay Stock Exchange SMEs and Mainboard IPOs are the two stocks available to trade in India.

  • • IPOs
  • Larger companies won't fit the small-to-medium standards. They are in the mainboard Initial Public Offerings, not the IPO SME category.

  • • SME IPO
  • Those firms that are still small or medium go under the BSE SME category.

    Mainboard IPOs and SME IPOs offer two paths for companies to get funds from investors.

Comparison of Mainboard vs. SME IPOs on the Bombay Stock Exchange

3. Issue Size

The issue size is the volume of stocks a company offers to the public when launching its IPO.

  • • IPOs
  • Companies that choose initial public offerings offer large stock numbers. Such a large volume of stocks are in crores in terms of value.

  • • SME IPO
  • Issue size varies for small to medium companies. The reason is these smaller scale companies don't reach the crores. They are most likely to offer a smaller number of stocks compared to big enterprises.

    It suits the fact that these companies have much smaller capital demands.

    4. Regulatory Framework

    These are security measures put in place for both these investing options. It is to prevent fraud that can result in losses to the public.

  • • IPOs
  • IPOs are subject to strengthened security measures, keeping the public's money safe. It includes checking the obligations, extra terms and conditions, and lock-in periods.

    The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) handles this process. It is only fair as SEBI is the topmost security board in India.

  • • SME IPO
  • Small-to-medium companies have lower security protocols. It is easier for a startup or small company to get funding through this method. SEBI is involved here but makes the process less of a burden for small businesses.

    5. Investor Base

    The investor base is where the difference between an SME IPO and a general IPO is quite visible.

  • • IPOs
  • It attracts a massive investor base that includes organisations and wealthy individuals. The more sizeable the company and its reputation, the larger the interest.

  • • SME IPO
  • These attract smaller groups of investors due to possible risk and lower stock size.

Comparison of investor bases between general IPOs and SME IPOs

6. Liquidity

Liquidity refers to the ease and speed of changing company stocks into money.

  • • IPOs
  • These options have increased liquidity due to the vast investor base it attracts.

  • • SME IPO
  • Liquidity is much lower than enterprises due to a limited investor base. But liquidity can improve over time as the firm grows in size and value.

    7. Initial Public Offerings Launch Costs & Risk Factors

    The cost of launching initial public offerings links to the company's size. Enterprise companies need extensive advertising campaigns. Also, risks increase with lower reputation and profits. So, these two factors are vital to choosing a stock to invest in.

SME IPO vs Mainboard IPO: Which is Better for Investors?

Mainboard options present less risk due to their positive reputation and records. They also offer high liquidity in case of uncertainty or the urgent need for money. But there is no denying the potential for high earnings from SME IPOs!

Conclusion

Initial public offerings and small-to-medium IPOs provide great investing opportunities. People also choose them due to the safety SEBI provides. These stock offerings also motivate companies as they raise funds and awareness.

The difference between the two helps investors make decisions that boost their future. While they both pose pros and cons, it is vital to exercise caution and do adequate research.

If you need the help of a stock market trading expert to choose between a main board IPO or an SME IPO, contact us online now.

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