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Bells don’t build markets—trust does. In this episode, David Wicks, Vice President at Nasdaq, and Elana Finn, Events Marketing Specialist at Nasdaq, unpack how the exchange powers over 130 markets worldwide, monitors trading with SMARTS, and extends integrity through tools like Verafin, Axiom, and Calypso to protect against fraud, strengthen risk management, and streamline regulatory reporting. The result is a living infrastructure that helps founders turn preparation into durable public performance.

From policy to practice, we trace the arc from Project Revitalize to Project Elevate, highlighting why modernization matters: reducing regulatory friction, lowering the cost of being public, and clarifying the path to IPO for high-potential companies. David shares a reality check on IPO momentum—220+ listings across technology, AI infrastructure, healthcare, and financials—and what disciplined teams are doing differently to earn investor confidence amid geopolitics and shifting policies.

Elena takes us behind the scenes of Nasdaq’s event strategy—intimate dinners, off-site experiences, and MarketSite moments in Times Square—that transform introductions into real partnerships. These gatherings are high-signal rooms where private companies pressure-test governance, refine narratives, and connect with the right stakeholders before Day One.

We close with a simple playbook: start early, build your board and processes, engage with Nasdaq’s teams, and use curated events to accelerate learning and trust so your bell-ringing marks momentum, not a gamble.

If you’re exploring the public path or planning a high-impact event, subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of leadership, capital formation, and market integrity—and share this episode with a founder preparing for their Day One.