TSX looks to innovate with Ignite and Private Market Initiatives

The TSX today debuted TSX Ignite, a national program dedicated to the growth and development of Canadian companies. Faced with increased competition, Canada’s largest stock market is responding with innovation.

The TSX today debuted TSX Ignite, a national program dedicated to the growth and development of Canadian companies, with a primary focus on small and medium-sized enterprises. The program, explains the TSX, provides companies and entrepreneurs with tools and resources to help them build great businesses.

“Given the importance of entrepreneurs and SMEs to the Canadian and international economies, it is vital that we support them in any way we can. Toronto Stock Exchange and TSX Venture Exchange are committed to this effort, and we are proud to be working with our partners from across Canada to support the growth of great companies and tomorrow’s leaders,” said TSX President Kevan Cowan.

Today’s announcement falls on the heels of Tuesday’s news that the exchange will launch a business to facilitate capital raising and the trading of securities in the exempt market. The new business, which is called TSX Private Markets, will allow the TMX Group to serve start-ups and private issuers.

The Canadian technology sector has seen an increased number of companies go public of late, but the vast number of techs remain private, including prominent names such as Hootsuite, Desire2Learn, BuildDirect and Vision Critical.

“Working with registered dealers, the launch of TSX Private Markets will assist private companies in accessing capital in the key early stages of their development,” explained Cowan. “On the execution side, we believe that private markets in Canada stand to benefit from and complement the proven success of our premier public markets.”

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