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Web site streamlines, globalizes online
investment banking for emerging hi-tech companies
Firm's Syndication Directors invest in companies it represents
Boca Raton, FL- June 15, 1999 - Investment
banking has emerged from the boardroom and into cyberspace
to reach a global audience of direct investors and technology
companies. VistaWEB IPO, the world's first online investment
banking firm, enables companies and investors to conduct
business without time, language or geographical limitations.
With this innovative application of ecommerce, this financial
sector now has unlimited reach, round-the-clock visibility,
and impact on virtually every continent.
This online investment banking firm distinguishes itself
in other ways. Unlike traditional investment banking firms,
VistaWEB's Syndication Directors invest in purchase warrants
up to $1 million with each company's transaction and approved
SEC public offering. VistaWEB has streamlined the often
cumbersome investment banking process with an online presence
that brings companies and investors together in a virtual
financial world 24 hours a day in 10 languages. This new
use of the Internet allows technology companies to quickly
and efficiently reach direct global investors with financial,
product and marketing information.
Based in Boca Raton, Fla., VistaWEB specializes in medium-sized
and emerging technology companies. It showcases them via
a beta portfolio featuring animated "road shows" that present
the companies' technology and products. It presents global
stock offerings to VistaWEB IPO Membership with online,
electronic syndication for direct global investors. The
company can conduct IPO and Private Placement Memorandum
(PPM) transactions online. For PPM offerings, however, investors
must be initially accredited with a net worth of $1 million.
In addition to marketing young technology companies, VistaWEB
offers programs for more established corporations promoting
products and services both online and off-line.
VistaWEB is the creation of Donald Rinaldi, a veteran of
Wall Street and corporate board rooms. "VistaWEB is the
most efficient way for technology companies and direct investors
to conduct business," Rinaldi said. "The impact, reach and
visibility is unmatched." Rinaldi started building VistaWEB
more than a decade ago, long before "ecommerce" and the
"Internet" were part of the business world. Today, VistaWEB
is recognized as one of the top 100 venture capital sites
by FinanceWise, the leading financial search engine. As
chairman and chief executive officer, Rinaldi, a former
corporate director of Allied Chemical, now AlliedSignal
Corporation, has assembled some of the nation's leading
business, marketing, securities, and legal experts to assist
in this endeavor.
Potential investors can stroll through a "virtual IPO Spotlight"
and view "road shows". They can participate in real-time
discussions with emerging companies in "virtual Wall Street
conference rooms." Technology companies and investors can
visit chat rooms and get advice on new opportunities from
experts in marketing, legal affairs, securities, technology
review, and funding strategies. In the "IPO Spotlight" directory,
visitors can access press releases on new companies and
other developments, road show notices, private placement
memorandum, a prospectus, and SEC regulatory procedures.
Incorporated in April of this year, VistaWEB is now conducting
its own private placement for $2.1 million to position the
company for its own IPO later this year. This offering is
presented on the web site and serves as a model for how
the process works. "One advantage of web-based investment
banking is that there are no stockbrokers and, therefore,
no commissions, underwriters or finders fees," Rinaldi said.
"But, the most important feature is the immediacy of the
stock transaction process. What once took months now happens
in minutes and 24 hours a day ."
Companies seeking capital can present products and business
plans to a vast, direct audience of global investors.. Likewise,
global investors can learn about new and innovative technologies
as soon as they're available by viewing VistaWEB's growing
portfolio of strategic and investment opportunities. This
virtual environment serves as a source of capital during
the incubation, research and development stages. VistaWEB
then facilitates the IPO process by assisting in commercial
development, structuring timely strategic alliances, and
marketing companies through various online strategies.
"Many technology companies are started by developers who
have little knowledge of the IPO process and the legal,
marketing, and capital equity funding issues," Rinaldi added.
"Some have an outstanding product, but can't get it to market.
Others may have a product with great potential, but without
the background to refine it so it can ultimately succeed.
"We assist with all of these elements through our board
of Syndication Directors and then market the company to
direct investors and consumers worldwide. The major appeal,
however, is the global nature of our process and the efficiencies
and power of conducting these activities online." Various
funding strategies include Initial Public Offerings, Secondary
Offerings, and Private Placements. Rinaldi anticipates that
major corporations will also outsource VistaWEB's expertise
in developing online and off-line marketing strategies.
Other VistaWEB services include:
- Exposure on the web site for commercial and market development
"beta technologies" and then when they have matured to
full IPO status
- Registration process
- Selection of market makers
- Allocation of shares
According to Rinaldi, VistaWEB will only work with credible
companies that have potential in both the technology and investment
arenas. VistaWEB works in a wide range of industries including,
but not limited to, aerospace, software, environmental, financial
services, medicine and telecommunications. "As a result, we've
developed strict criteria they must meet in order for us to
represent them," he said.
Criteria include:
- Business plan
- Patents approved and pending
- Financial objectives, value points and liquidity events
to grow enterprise with revenue and margin projections
- Financial statements, two years
- Use of proceeds
- Low debt-to-equity ratio
- Ability to impact market to substantially grow revenue
"We want companies that have more than just an idea," he said.
"They have to satisfy our due diligence, validation and merit
approval process with proprietary products that demonstrate
growth potential to make an impact and create value for investors.
They also must show a history of strong management and responsible
fiscal policies. "However, if they lack the expertise and
the ability to position the company for an offering (private
or public) that will bring it to the next level. That's our
job." VistaWEB is also pursuing a technology venture capital
division and an online international stock trading division.
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