Episode 270: REITs Expected to Take Keener Interest in SPAC Structure Going Forward

Following a breakout year for special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) in 2020, activity is forecast to remain brisk in 2021, with REITs expected to take a keener interest in the structure, according to Jocelyn Arel and Audrey Leigh, partners at Goodwin.SPACs are a pool of capital formed through an initial public offering (IPO). SPAC sponsors go through the traditional IPO process, complete with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) review and roadshows, Arel, a partner in the firm’s Technology Companies practice and leader of the firm’s SPAC practice, explained. The capital is then placed into trust and is available to combine with an operating company and fund that company’s IPO, referred to as the SPAC-IPO.“People are looking at the structure as an efficient way to take companies public and as an alternative to the traditional IPO or direct listings. In essence it’s really giving companies optionality in terms of how they want to approach the market,” Arel said.