Arumna Abdul

IPOs for SMEs: Can Capital Markets Close the Financing Gap?

Staci Warden, Ana Carvajal, Ashish Chauhan, Siobhan Cleary, Nick Thadaney, Arumna Abdul, Daniel, Scott Birdwell

A high-level panel of global financial experts identified credit access as the primary barrier for Small and Medium Enterprises, proposing tiered exchange models from Canada's TMX Group and India's Bombay Stock Exchange as effective mechanisms to mobilize local capital while protecting investors through graded liquidity rules. The discussion detailed how proportional regulatory frameworks, market maker programs, and innovative instruments like securitized receivables can balance enforcement with the need for lower compliance costs, successfully transitioning hundreds of companies from junior markets to senior boards. Ultimately, stakeholders argued that sustainable SME ecosystems require shifting from isolated IPO promotion to holistic financing environments that integrate private equity exit routes and foster job creation without distorting market integrity.