BSE plans platform for listing startups, easy access to capital

Leading stock exchange BSE has set up an advisory group to suggest ways to develop BSE Hi-Tech, a platform to help startups list and access capital from sophisticated investors in the securities market. The 13-panel group, which held its first meeting, includes experts from the start-up ecosystem, investors, merchant bankers and legal professionals who will advise BSE on the newly proposed framework on BSE Hi-Tech, which will be based on the new institutional trading platform norms announced by regulator Sebi in August 2015.

Nasscom's Ravi Gururaj, Khaitan & Co partner Rajiv Khaitan, Tie executive director Naveen Raju and Accel Partners partner Shekhar Kirani, are among the members in the group. "In order to develop BSE Hi-Tech, a platform where young fast growing companies can list and access capital from sophisticated investors, the Exchange has decided to form an advisory group," the BSE said in a statement.

The group is mandated to interact with various stakeholders including the government, Sebi and industry associations and support in framing policies for the creation of a robust platform. "Deliberations and suggestions will be forwarded to the regulator for their consideration," the exchange added.

In recent years, the Indian startup ecosystem has witnessed tremendous growth and has come into its own driven by factors such as massive funding, consolidation activities, evolving technology and a burgeoning domestic market. These entrepreneurs need a platform to reach out to potential investors and raise funds to fuel growth.