SA`s stock exchange, the JSE, hopes to boost the number of companies on its Alternative Exchange (AltX) through the Technology Top 100 (TT100) awards.
Speaking at a luncheon to celebrate the partnership between the two associations, AltX and JSE GM of marketing and business development Noah Greenhill, said it would be great if every emerging company entering the awards were to list on AltX.
However, a realistic figure would be about 15% to 20% of the entrants that are at a stage at which listing would make sense.
Greenhill adds that - despite perceptions to the contrary - South African investors do have an appetite for quality companies.
The JSE`s AltX, which started three years ago, acts as an incubator for companies that can eventually graduate to the main board. It has less stringent criteria than the JSE, but companies must have a designated advisor, who acts as a mentor.
Generally, shares on this board trade for less than on the main board, the most expensive share being under R10 and the cheapest at about 7c. At the moment, there are 23 companies listed on AltX, which has a market capitalisation of close on R4 billion, including one suspended company. Four companies are IT-related.
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