The Hague-based NPEX BV, a secure platform that enables companies and investors to trade securities, announced on Friday that it has raised €2M in a fresh round of funding.
This round was led by existing investors, including CEO Mark van der Plas. With a share of just under 10 per cent, Icecat Capital, the financial arm of Icecat NV, has also joined this round as a new investor.
Capital utilisation
NPEX says it will use the funds for the platform’s growth moving forward and open up more opportunities for SMEs.
Entrepreneurs and investors come together on the NPEX stock market for funding, impact and financial gains. As a result, SMEs get the chance to collect money through the issuance of bonds and depositary receipts for shares.
These securities are then tradable on the NPEX stock exchange. More than €170M has already been raised by SMEs with the platform’s assistance.
Mark van der Plas, CEO of NPEX, says, “We are pleased with Icecat Capital’s investment and the confidence they have in our platform. It enables us to further shape our ambition to make the capital market more accessible to SMEs and to further grow and improve the platform where retail and institutional investors can trade securities.”
How will Icecat NV support NPEX?
Icecat NV provides product information to online stores and retailers globally. The firm looks to enhance the internet shopping experiences. Through Icecat Capital, the firm invests in “promising” SaaS and platform companies, like VirtuaGym last year.
With the investment in NPEX, Icecat Capital demonstrates its trust in the exchange platform’s potential and the value it can provide for SMEs.
Icecat CEO, Martijn Hoogeveen, says, “Both as a listed company and investor, we are excited about the financing options that NPEX offers to SMEs.”
“With our investment in NPEX, we want to support the further development of the tech platform and help to give even more SMEs access to the capital market. Not only within the Netherlands but also in neighbouring EU countries.”
About NPEX
NPEX was founded in 2008 and is the abbreviation of Nederlandsche Participatie Exchange. It is a stock exchange where an investor can buy and/or trade shares and bonds of Dutch SMEs.
NPEX has an MTF licence from the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) and is monitored by AFM and De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB).
