Planet Copias & Imagem
In March 1996, the founders of Planet Copias & Imagem reflected on their ambitious growth goals for the firm and began to plan the financing program that would help them achieve those goals. Planet, which was headquartered in Lisbon, " high - touch, high - touch " store concept that included complete document preparation services, the newest reproduction technology, 24 - hour service, food service, musical entertainment , and a pleasant atmosphere.
The founding entrepreneurs of Planet, Michael Melloy, Pascal Monteiro de Barros, and Luis Quartin Bastos - who called themselves " the three amigos " - sought to position the firm as a " breakout growth, category - killer" retail chain in Europe and worldwide. They aimed to become the dominant retail document center chain. Luis expressed Planet's growth plans when he told Portugal's leading newspaper, " Our goal is to have 100 megastores in 5 years. "
The founders ideally wanted to take Planet public by 1999 ( but no later than 2002 ) in an international initial public offering ( IPO) on American and European exchange. They hoped this would monetize and make liquid their " sweat equity " in the firm, and compenhopefd this would monetize and make liquid their " sweat equity" in the from, and compensate them for the risks they had taken. Currently, most of the wold's equity markets were receptive to IPOs ( see Exhibit) , though in the past the IPO " window of opportunity" for young firms had opened and closed. Thus, the timing of an IPO would be uncertain and would depend on market opportunities.