Chris Cottone
VP of Greentree Financial Group, Inc.
Robert C. (Chris) Cottone graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Chris co-manages Greentree’s internal emerging growth fund and oversees the capital markets policies and procedures implemented by the firm including new project origination. Chris has experience working on new public listings, SPACs, bridge financing and PIPEs. In this role, Chris has been involved in several business combinations that have exceeded $1 billion in enterprise valuation.
Chris is also responsible for monitoring legislative activities effecting securities issues. With more than two decades of service to the business community, Chris has been instrumental in guiding the careers of many of the nation’s new entrepreneurs. Chris heads many of Greentree’s community awareness programs that contribute to the Global Vision maintained at the firm. He is a frequent contributor to various publications and periodicals and lectures to professional organizations.
NASDAQ vs. NYSE for SPACs; What Sponsors Should Consider
Chris Cottone breaks down the key differences between listing a SPAC on NASDAQ versus the NYSE. He explains why most SPAC IPOs historically land on NASDAQ, how exchange preferences can vary depending on sponsor relationships,...
How Long Does an IPO Really Take? What to Expect Today
Chris Cottone breaks down realistic IPO timelines based on current market conditions. He explains how IPOs can move as fast as three months in low-comment environments, why four months is now the typical expectation, and what...
How to Choose the Right Legal Counsel and Underwriter for a SPAC
Chris Cottone explains how SPAC sponsors should think about selecting legal counsel and underwriters. He outlines why fees should never be the primary decision factor, why SPACs require highly specialized legal experience, an...
What an Ideal SPAC Board Should Look Like
Chris Cottone explains how SPAC sponsors should think about board composition. From NASDAQ independence requirements to the importance of financial, legal, and M&A experience, he breaks down why a lean, well-balanced board is...
How to Form a SPAC Entity and Where to Incorporate
Chris Cottone explains how to properly form a SPAC entity and why incorporation choice matters. He breaks down the pros and cons of Delaware, Nevada, and Cayman structures, highlighting tax considerations, litigation risk, an...
What “Risk Capital” Really Means for SPAC Sponsors
Chris Cottone explains what risk capital is in a SPAC, why it’s required, and how much sponsors should realistically expect to commit. He breaks down IPO and DESPAC costs, typical risk capital ranges, and how sponsor syndicat...
How SPAC Structures Have Evolved and What Investors Care About Today
Chris Cottone breaks down how SPAC structures have evolved and what investors are seeing in today’s market. He explains the role of rights, warrants, and time-to-close terms, and why longer SPAC timelines are becoming more at...
What’s the Right Size for a SPAC?
What’s the ideal size for a SPAC? Chris Cattone explains why the sweet spot is often between $100M and $150M in trust, balancing fee efficiency, target quality, and flexibility through the DESPAC process. Connect with the Gue...