Forbes Iconoclast: Mizuho’s Michal Katz discusses public vs private markets

Head of Investment & Corporate Banking for Mizuho Americas, Michal Katz, joined the panel discussion “Dealmaking for the Next Decade: Going Public, Taking Private, and Everything In Between” at the Forbes Iconoclast Summit in New York on June 20, 2024. The theme of this year’s marquee event was "Titans of Investing: Tectonic Shifts For A New Era,” covering the global macroeconomic and geopolitical landscape, themes in AI and technology and outlook for venture capital investing, IPOs and M&A dealmaking. 

Michal shared the stage with Nelson Griggs, President, Nasdaq, and Rohan Oza, co-founder & Managing Partner, CAVU Ventures, with moderator Steven Bertoni, Assistant Managing Editor, Forbes. At the heart of the discussion was how higher rates and even higher valuation expectations have stalled venture-backed and private equity portfolio companies seeking exits. In a more discriminating market, companies need to consider whether a public market debut, merger or sale will provide growth capital and liquidity for its investors. To determine the right path, they first need to ask the question: What are they solving for?