Investment Banking for Consumer Goods & Retail
[ 01/04 ] · WHY NOW
Formalisation Expands Market Depth
GST-linked visibility unlocks larger compliant markets and strengthens brand penetration
Premiumisation Driven by Rising Affluence
Higher disposable incomes push consumers toward better-quality, higher-value products across urban and tier 2–4 India
Modern Trade & Q-Commerce Accelerate Discovery
Organized retail and rapid delivery platforms broaden reach and boost product trials
Digital Influence Lowers Acquisition Costs
Creator-led marketing combined with smart retail execution reduces CAC and improves conversion efficiency
[ 02/04 ] · OUR FOCUS
What We Focus On
A detailed look at the operational, compliance and analytics levers we evaluate to strengthen your IPO readiness
Like-for-like growth, contribution margins and cash conversion
Channel mix across GT/MT/e-commerce/quick commerce/own stores
Distributor health, credit days, returns and schemes
Supply-chain & manufacturing footprint, capacities and yields
Compliance on labelling, FSSAI and product claims
[ 03/04 ] · DELIVERABLES
Our Deliverables
A comprehensive, end-to-end IPO execution stack delivered with precision and consistency
Readiness Score & Fix List
Revenue recognition and returns policy, promo and scheme hygiene, franchise and distributor contracts, FSSAI and labeling, related parties, working capital controls
DRHP Chapter Set
Evidence trails for channel inventory, secondary sales, cohorts and repeat rates, store P&Ls, manufacturing capacity and vendor SLAs, legal and IP
Indicative Pricing Bands
Sensitivities to LFL growth, gross margin, contribution margin, CAC and working capital
Anchor Map
Consumer specialists, retail and growth funds, long-only and domestic institutions, with diligence packs and pilot soundings
Post-Listing IR Toolkit
KPI pack and model including LFL growth, store and region unit economics, channel mix across GT MT e-commerce quick commerce and own stores, distributor health and returns, working capital days, analyst deck and earnings model
*Timelines are indicative and depend on issuer readiness, audit completion, legal diligence, SEBI observations and market conditions. We do not guarantee pricing or allotment
[ 04/04 ] · FAQs
Answers to Common Questions
Learn about S45's IPO services, process, and what to expect
What is S45?
S45 is an AI-enabled Investment Bank helping Indian companies go public on SME and Main Board. We pair sector bankers with proprietary analytics for readiness, pricing, bookbuilding, listing, and post-IPO investor relations
What exactly do you do?
Three things end to end:
1) Source – eligibility, Demand Thesis (cohort view), teach-ins.
2) Diligence – Readiness Scan, data room, DRHP/RHP with auditors, counsel, and the Lead Manager.
3) List – price-band work, bookbuilding and allocation with Registrar/RTA, listing day and 30/90-day investor relations
Who is your merchant banking partner?
We execute IPOs with Narnolia as Category-I Merchant Banker (Lead Manager). S45 runs AI-led readiness, demand mapping, pricing support, and after-market investor relations
Which sectors do you cover?
Aerospace & Defence, Automotive, Chemicals, Consumer, Energy, Financial Services, Healthcare, Industrials, Technology, Agriculture, Education, and Hospitality. Each has bankers with India-specific operating and regulatory depth
What does the IPO process involve and how long does it take?
Pre-filing readiness → DRHP (SEBI) → RHP → pricing & bookbuilding (or fixed-price where applicable) → allotment with Registrar/RTA (ASBA/UPI) → listing (NSDL/CDSL) → post-IPO IR.
For SME, market maker coordination applies. Main Board is typically 6–12 months from engagement to listing, depending on audit readiness, SEBI observations, and market conditions. SME timelines can be as short as 2–3 months. We map a realistic calendar for your current state
How do you determine pricing and who are the key investor categories?
We build a valuation range using sector comps and cash-flow methods, then refine it with pre-IPO soundings and demand during the bookbuild. We do not guarantee a price or allocation. Indian IPOs allocate to QIBs (institutions), NIIs/HNIs (larger-ticket applicants), and Retail. Anchor investors may participate before the issue opens, per rules.
What are SEBI's core disclosure needs and what if we are not IPO-ready yet?
SEBI requires three years of audited financials, risk factors, related-party transactions, promoter details, use of proceeds, material contracts, and litigation. All SEBI observations must be addressed before the RHP. If you are not ready, we run a Readiness Scan and give a clear plan covering governance, disclosures, board independence, controls, and investor messaging. Many teams work with us 12–18 months before filing.
How does S45 charge and what about investor introductions?
A retainer for readiness and filing work plus milestone-linked fees tied to issue execution. Terms are discussed upfront and documented in the engagement letter. Investor previews are cohort-level only before mandate. Investor identities are shared after NDA or mandate, and outreach is coordinated with the Lead Manager.
Do you coordinate market makers for SME and support post-listing IR??
Yes. For eligible SME issues we shortlist market makers, align obligations, and integrate this into the post-listing liquidity plan. We also set an investor relations calendar, prepare earnings materials, target investors, and coordinate with analysts for coverage and liquidity over the first 30/90 days and beyond.
Do you guarantee timelines, pricing, or allotment?
No. Outcomes depend on SEBI review, market conditions, and investor demand. Our job is to prepare you thoroughly, map demand, and execute with discipline
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