Pros of going public:

• The company obtains increased prestige and visibility
• Going public can help improve the financial condition by obtaining money that will not have to be repaid
• Company stock can be used to raise monies
• Company stock in the form of stock options can be offered to employees and contractors as a meaningful form of incentive and compensation

Cons of going public

• Management can lose some of there freedom to act without board approval and approval of a majority of the shareholders in many matters
• Possible control take over of the company can accure from existing management if a dissident investor or group of investors obtains majority control
• When a company does go public, the SEC will require it to reveal sensitive information on an ongoing basis