BSX - Profile

Like many organisations, we are driven by a number of key philosophies.
These philosophies have influenced the way we assist the development of emerging businesses in Australia and those in rural and regional areas.

Most importantly we believe in the innovative nature of the Australian business community. We are strongly driven by the need to find more effective ways for Australian businesses to bring innovation to market.

We believe there is real scope for many businesses to help themselves by drawing upon a wide range of government and private sector resources. BSX provides a roadmap to this assistance.

While self help is often useful, we believe there are times when it is important for businesses to seek expert advice and assistance. Capital raising is one of those times. Financial market intermediaries such as advisers and brokers therefore play key roles in the delivery of a number of our services.

Raising capital is always hard, even for successful businesses, and we don't pretend to have all the answers. There are, however, many useful initiatives currently underway in both government and private sector circles. Investor-ready programs and business incubators for instance. BSX aims to complement rather than compete with these initiatives.

We believe information technology has a key role to play in delivering services to the Australian business community, particularly in rural and regional areas. At BSX we are committed to developing our information technology systems to empower individuals, organisations and communities to develop Australian businesses more effectively.

BSX at a Glance

For those of you looking for a snapshot view of BSX, the following briefly summarises how BSX has evolved.

Mid 1997	Victorian State Government provides $50,000 grant to partially fund BSX Alternative Equity Market feasibility work.
Early 1997	Bendigo Bank, Ernst & Young, the City of Greater Bendigo and the Stock Exchange of Bendigo explore the possibility of establishing an alternative equity market for Australian SMEs
Late 1997	BSX Alternative Equity Market feasibility work completed.
Early 1998	decision made by initial parties to proceed with BSX Alternative Equity Market project.
April 1998	BSX lodges submission with Commonwealth Department of Industry, Science and Tourism in competitive tender for a grant to assist the development of the BSX Alternative Equity Market.
June 1998	grant of $400,000 presented to BSX by federal Industry Minister, John Moore.
December 1998	BSX web site launched.
Mid to late 1998	implementation of the first stage of the project commences.
First half 1999	Pilot of Equity Matching Service and Sale of Business Service completed.>
May 1999	Strategic alliance formed with leading information technology company, Computershare
July 1999	Release of initial BSX services Equity Matching Service and Sale of Business Service
October 1999	Appointment of Kim Sheahan as Business Manager
Late March 2000	BSX Alternative Equity Market proposal released for public consultation as part of ASIC regulatory approval process
Early May 2000	Successful completion of the public consultation process
Early October	Bendigo Stock Exchange received formal approval from the Minister of Financial Services and Regulation to operate as a stock exchange