Pune-based start-up GREX Alternative Investments Market, which connects start-ups with investors for capital funds, will launch a secondary market facility that will allow investors to buy and sell equity shares via the platform, starting September.

Currently, if an investor wants an exit from a n unlisted company, the formalities are carried out offline and directly with the company. Through this platform, investors will be able to buy and sell shares online. It also facilitates encashing of employee stock option plans (ESOPs).

Devaki Sahasrabudhe, Vice-President – Market Engagement, said the company is in talks with the Securities and Exchange Board of India for secondary market regulations.

GREX, which has a funding of ₹3.5 crore, is in discussion with investors to raise another ₹2 crore that will be used in developing a secondary market platform and educating investors, Sahasrabudhe added.

SHCIL, Orbis tie-ups GREX has tied up with the Stock Holding Corporation of India for demat services and with Orbis Financial as custodian for capital-raising transactions.

From its inception in 2014 till date, the company has 468 registered start-ups, of which nine are ready for funding. It has 1,118 registered investors and has helped three start-ups — Kleeto, Solar Town and Comarete — raise ₹3.5 crore. Sahasrabudhe added that these companies will be able to raise another ₹12 crore by June.

Credit Analysis and Research has partnered with GREX to assess and grade start-ups and small and medium enterprises registered with the company, which in turn should attract more investors.

Sahasrabudhe said, “We are seeing traction in the number of investors willing to come on board in recent times. But one of the biggest challenges is getting the right investor, who does not interfere with the start-up’s operations after the investment.”

Information exchange is another area the company is working on. “It will allow an investor to see the entire road-map of the listed start-ups, which will help them in decision making,” Sahasrabudhe said.

The company has offices in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. It employs 60 people and will add another 15-20 in the IT space, as its operations are technology-driven.

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