During 2016, there were relatively few companies that completed initial public offerings (“IPOs”). Some commentators attribute the dearth of IPOs in 2016 to volatility arising from, among other things, Brexit and the U.S. Presidential election. Others point to the continuing trend of successful companies remaining private longer and continuing to benefit from attractive valuations in private financing rounds without facing the burdens associated with becoming Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”)-reporting companies.

In this year’s survey, we consider the characteristics of the emerging growth companies (“EGCs”) that completed IPOs and the corporate governance, compensation and other practices adopted by them. Specifically, we examined the filings of (i) the approximately 680 EGCs (on an aggregated basis) that completed their IPOs in the period from January 1, 2013, through December 31, 2016, and (ii) the 100 EGCs (on a standalone basis) that completed their IPOs during the year ended December 31, 2016. The survey focuses on EGCs that have availed themselves of the provisions of Title I of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (“JOBS Act”). This year is anticipated to be a more active year for IPOs. Our objective is to provide data that will be useful to you in assessing whether your company’s current or proposed corporate governance practices are consistent with EGC market practice.