IPO: Equitise Lists H2Ocean Limited Offer on Crowdfunding Platform

Equitise’s First Big Syndicated Transaction.

H2Ocean Limited is in the process of doing an initial public offering (IPO) in Australia.  The shares are expected to list on the ASX this coming October. As part of the process, H2Ocean is offering shares via an offer on Equitise – an investment crowdfunding platform that operates in New Zealand and Australia.  Investors may participate with a minimum purchase of 2000 shares (NZ $2320 / AUD $2200). Going forward, as an investor in the company, shareholders may be offered opportunities for co-investment in ventures, through the H2Ocean Private Syndicate, that the Company has invested in.

Equitise explains that H2Ocean is looking to invest in a diversified portfolio of Fintech Ventures. An investment in H2Ocean Limited will provide individuals access to an alternative asset class in a vehicle that will trade on the ASX- hence liquidity. H2Ocean believes a permanent and stable pool of capital will help their investment team make long-term investment decisions based on sound investment principles, supporting young ventures as they seek to create new and successful companies that may play a significant role in Fintech innovation.

Equitise states that well-known individuals Wyatt Roy (former Assistant Minister for Innovation by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull) and David Koch are on the Board and billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes has already committed A$1.5 million to the listing.  The offer just went live this past week and is scheduled to close the beginning of October.

This is another interesting step in the evolution of internet finance. Investment crowdfunding platforms are providing a much greater diversity of investment opportunities for large AND small investors. Depending on the terms, providing a package that includes a diversified portfolio of early stage companies with near-term liquidity is a positive step forward for the overall crowdfunding industry.