• Develop a robust business plan
• Ensure contracts are in place with customers and suppliers
• Review management information systems and operational and compliance controls
• Consider ownership and tax issues
   

12-24 months before admission

• Read the Exchange's flotation pack
• Attend one of our flotation seminars
• Contact us for a one-to-one meeting
• Adopt 'best practice' corporate governance standards
• Complete any planned strategic initiatives such as acquisitions
   

6-12 months before admission

• Review and plan your investor relations (IR) strategy
• Ensure you have independently-audited financial accounts, if applicable, for a three-year period
• Consider commissioning an independent expert's report on your business 
• Make any necessary changes to the executive board
• Appoint non-executive directors
• Ensure your company is incorporated under the relevant laws
• Consider whether to conduct pre-flotation fundraising 
• Decide on the method of flotation
• Hold a beauty parade of advisers

The admission process
12-24 weeks before admission

• Appoint your advisers
• Instruct all advisers
• Agree the timetable to admission

6-12 weeks before admission

• Review any problem areas that have emerged
• Produce the draft prospectus/admission document 
• Produce the first draft of the other required documents
• Conduct the initial review of pricing issues
• Review PR presentations
• Host analyst presentations

1-6 weeks before admission

• Continue drafting meetings
• Carry out and complete due diligence
• Hold PR meetings and roadshow
• Register the prospectus with the UKLA
• Submit 10-day announcement to Exchange of intention to join AIM
  

1 week before admission

• All documents completed and approved
• Pricing and allocation of the offer
• Register the prospectus
• Sign subscription agreement
• Bulk print final prospectus

 
Admission week

• Pay Exchange fees 
• Submit documents
• Admission to AIM granted
• Trading begins