Shareholder Services: Transfer Agent for Capital Raise

November 24, 2022

DealMaker logo with "shareholder services" text under.

What is a Transfer Agent?

Typically a transfer agent is a company responsible for maintaining investor financial records and account balances for shares and security ownership. The transfer agent will record transactions, cancel and issue certificates, process investor communications, and handle a host of other investor problems, including reissuing lost or stolen certificates. Transfer agents work closely with registrars to ensure investors receive their due interest and dividend payments in a timely manner.

Traditionally, a transfer agent would be managing a public company’s books and records of shareholders.  

However; all capital raises require this service as you will be selling a security type in order to raise capital - and the Transfer Agent will keep record of that value exchange with your investor pool.

Why Do You Need a Transfer Agent?

Before most TAs were digital, the time, labor, and systems infrastructure required to maintain your own company register didn’t make good economic sense. Maintaining system access to central depositories, paying a dividend, doing tax reporting and remitting, fielding shareholder inquiries, all the associated AML and compliance reporting – is too big of an operation. It requires a significant back office managing it; therefore, the vast majority of companies hire an experienced transfer agent that not only knows the compliance and legal obligations, but has automated digital processes to fulfill on them.

As you embark on raising capital, you’ll need to keep a close eye on your records of ownership - also called a cap table in the startup world.

What is a Cap Table?

A cap table is most commonly utilized for startups and early-stage businesses but all types of companies may use it as well. In general, the cap table is an intricate breakdown of a company’s shareholders’ equity. Cap tables often include all of a company’s equity ownership capital, such as common equity shares, preferred equity shares, warrants, and convertible equity.

It shows the total market value of a company and its components, and is a key point of reference for business managers. It is important for the cap table to be accurate, customized to the business needs, and regularly maintained for decision-making based on the most current information.

What is Different About DealMaker Shareholder Services?


We’ve Made it Easy to Raise Capital Online by Providing Full-Service

When you raise capital via Reg A, Reg CF, Reg D506, Reg S (or any exemption in Canada), be rest-assured that our Shareholder Services will manage the back-office for your company: we can oversee the investor certificates, records, and accounts for you digitally and integrated with your raise.

If you are interested in a Private Placement or a Warrant exercise, our Shareholder Services are there as well to help manage the books and records either for a singular deal or overall for your company.

Our team of experts are here to help answer any questions you may have, so please don’t hesitate to reach out at any time.

We’re here to help.

Monogram Case Study - DealMaker (Embed)

When VCs said no, Monogram turned to retail investors. That decision powered their rise from startup to publicly traded company—and even helped them raise an additional $13M privately after their Nasdaq debut.

Monogram at NASDAQ celebration

The Challenge: Raising Capital on Their Terms

The Challenge: Raising on Their Terms

Monogram Technologies was founded with a bold vision: to revolutionize orthopedic surgery with a robotic joint replacement system using custom 3D-printed joints. The market for this technology is massive—approximately $19.6 billion, with over 1 million knee replacements per year. But it's a capital-intensive, regulation-heavy space—and traditional VCs weren't biting.

Instead of compromising, co-founders Dr. Doug Unis and Ben Sexson went all-in on a different path: retail capital. Why?

  • Control and ownership: Not only were they able to raise the capital they needed to grow the business—they did it on their own terms.
  • Long-term asset: They wanted to build an army of true believers who wanted to see the company succeed and would continue to reinvest over the years.
  • A value-add network: Raising from retail allowed Monogram to amass a waiting list of thousands of patients eager to participate in future trials.
  • Aligned incentives: Their mission to improve patient outcomes and build a better future for those struggling with joint pain resonated with retail investors.

The Power of Retail: Monogram's Capital Journey

Start Date End Date Type Platform Amount Raised # Investors
3/13/193/31/20A+SeedInvest$14,588,6686,000
11/16/201/16/21A+StartEngine$2,965,5018,000
1/17/212/18/22A+StartEngine$23,647,85314,082
7/15/223/16/23CFDealMaker$4,673,0002,249
3/1/234/8/23A+Republic$232,275120
3/1/235/23/23A+DealMaker$15,958,3645,198
5/18/23-Nasdaq listing
7/2410/24Unit OfferingDealMaker$12,990,1032,745

Monogram Capital Raise Timeline

Monogram's first direct-to-investor raise was a $14.6M round in 2019. Since then, Monogram has raised retail capital six additional times, using Reg A+ as a springboard to a Nasdaq listing in 2023.

Each raise brought in new believers—and more importantly, kept bringing them back. That's the long-term power of retail capital. It's not just one campaign—it's a compounding asset that grows with the business.

$80M+
Raised across seven campaigns
~40,000
Investors championing Monogram's vision
20%
Of each raise came from previous investors

Marketing Excellence

DealMaker Reach provided strategic investor acquisition services, helping Monogram connect with the right audience through high-impact channels.

Premium Publications

Targeted campaigns in premium publications like Morning Brew captured qualified investors

High-Engagement Webinars

Engaging events that generated over $4.3 million in investments

Community Building

Strategic approaches that fostered a loyal shareholder base

Investment Momentum

Innovative approaches that amplified investment momentum

Monogram's Journey to Success

Monogram's journey has been defined by relentless innovation, strategic fundraising, and breakthrough advancements in robotic-assisted joint replacement. From early-stage research to a Nasdaq listing and beyond, Monogram's milestones reflect its evolution into a pioneering force in orthopedic surgery:

  • Filed its first patent application in 2017
  • Conducted clinical studies at UCLA and University of Nebraska
  • Expanded the team with key hires
  • Attracted a top-tier advisory board to guide clinical innovations
  • Signed their first distribution partnerships
  • Made headlines with cutting-edge live demonstrations
  • Secured 501(k) FDA clearance for the mBôs surgical system

Nasdaq Debut & Beyond

In May 2023, Monogram Orthopaedics successfully listed on the Nasdaq—a significant milestone offering liquidity and growth opportunities for the company.

For most companies, that would be the end of their story in the private markets. But for Monogram, it was just the beginning of a new chapter.

Public perception says you can't raise privately post-IPO. Monogram proved that wrong.

Defying conventional fundraising norms, Monogram raised an additional $13 million from private investors, powered by DealMaker. This move highlighted the power of a dedicated investor community and provided additional strategic growth capital. Meanwhile, strategic digital marketing for the private offering helped boost the public share price—a win-win for the company and its investors, both public and private.

This was retail capital at its best: strategic, repeatable, and aligned.

One vision. Zero compromises.

This wasn't a one-time raise. It was a multi-year capital strategy.

Retail capital helped Monogram:

  • Go from concept to commercialization without relying on VCs
  • Retain ownership and control in a high-burn industry
  • Build a base of loyal shareholders who invested not once, but over and over again
  • Uplist to the Nasdaq, and still keep raising post-IPO

This is what makes retail capital different. It doesn't expire—it compounds. And DealMaker is built to maximize that long-term value.

Dr. Doug Unis Quote
Ben Sexson Quote

Ready to Raise Capital on Your Terms?

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