Aquis and Barclays Launch IPO Academy
Aquis Stock Exchange (AQSE) partnered with Barclays Eagle Labs to launch the UK’s first public markets readiness program run by an exchange. The Aquis IPO Academy targets ambitious scale-ups exploring IPOs for growth.
Program Overview
The six-month initiative offers tools, investor access, funding advice, pitch development, and mentoring on finance, governance, and regulation. It includes discounted AQSE admission fees and pre-eligibility support. It is tailored to AQSE’s market segments.
Market Context
UK IPOs peaked in 2021. However, it has slowed down since. Many scale-ups are skipping public listings despite strong entrepreneurial talent. Research by Aquis, Barclays, and Beauhurst shows a gap between private success and public market entry. Only 7% of high-growth UK IPOs since 2011 were female-founded.
Key Focus Areas
- Open to all UK sectors, prioritizing tech-enabled and women-founded businesses.
- Aims for 50% female-founded participation to boost diversity.
- Draws on Barclays Eagle Labs’ UK network and SIX’s expertise (SIX acquired Aquis in 2025).
Leadership Quotes
David Stevens, Aquis CEO, said that Aquis is the home of growth companies seeking scale-up capital. He also pointed towards the abundance of ambition or entrepreneurial talent in the UK. And added that by providing earlier engagement, targeted education, and practical support, they can help more of these high-potential businesses grow and sustain themselves here in the UK. He referred to the Academy as an investment in UK capital markets.
Abdul Qureshi, Barclays Business Bank Head, said that too many promising UK businesses struggle to access knowledge for the public markets journey. He added that the Academy will give founders the insight, support, and network to guide their public markets journey. Also, he added that it will help strengthen the UK’s growth ecosystem for the long term.
About Aquis Exchange
Alasdair Haynes founded Aquis Exchange in 2012. It is a pan-European trading platform based in London. It offers a subscription-based model for trading cash equities across 16 European markets. Aquis charges users based on message traffic rather than trade value. Aquis also develops and licenses exchange technology through its Aquis Technologies division.
Wrapping Up
The Aquis IPO Academy bridges the IPO gap for UK scale-ups with expert support and networks. It fosters long-term capital market growth by prioritizing diversity and tech. The partnership promises to keep ambitious businesses thriving in the UK
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