BSE to launch BSE Startup Platform

BSE, established on 9^th July 1875, is now in its 143^rd year of existence. To mark the celebration of its foundation day, on 9^th July 2018, BSE is adding one more feather in its cap called BSE Startup Platform.

BSE SME segment that began in 2012 has emerged as preferred platform for SME in India with highest number of listed companies (currently 254 including 50 companies migrated to main board). In order to provide further incentive to the companies which are “Startups” in the sector of IT, ITES, Bio-technology and Life Science etc., the Exchange is pleased to announce that “BSE Startup Platform” is enabled on BSE SME Segment.

This platform will facilitate the listing of companies in the sector of IT, ITES, Bio-technology and Life Science, 3D Printing, Space technology, E-Commerce, Hi- Tech Defense, Drones, Nano Technologies, Artificial Intelligence, Big data, Enhance/Virtual Reality, E-gaming, Exoskeleton, Robotics, Holographic Technology, Genetic Engineering, Variable Computers Inside body computer technology and any other Hi-tech based company.

The criteria for listing on “BSE Startup Platform” are as follows:

1. The pre issue paid up Equity share Capital of the company should be minimum of Rs. 1 crore.
2. The company should be in existence for a minimum period of 3 years on the date of filing the draft prospectus with BSE
3. There should preferably have investment by QIB investors (as defined under SEBI ICDR Regulations, 2009) / Angel Investors for a minimum period of 2 years at the time of filing of draft prospectus with BSE and such aggregate investment should be at least Rs. 1 crore
4. The company should have positive net-worth
5. The Company should not have been referred to National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) under Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016
6. There should be no winding up petition against the company that has been accepted by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT)

The companies listing on BSE Startup Platform with the above mentioned criteria will follow all the other conditions applicable for listing of SME Companies under Chapter XB of “SEBI (ICDR) Regulations, 2009”, relating to disclosures, migration to main Board, etc.

In fact, both BSE and NSE had started ITP (Institutional Trading Platform) segments along with SME platforms wherein only institutional trades were taking place with a minimum lot of Rs. 10 lakh and in multiples thereon. This ITP platform has not seen the light of the day so far with very thin volume of irregular trades on it.

Hence, in order to revive it in different form, BSE is taking initiative to launch BSE Startup Platform where in the minimum trading lot will be on line with SME segment i.e. Rs. 1 lakh and in multiples thereon.