AIM Market

AIM (formerly known as the Alternative Investment Market) is a sub market of the London Stock Exchange allowing smaller companies to float shares with a more flexible regulatory system than is applicable to the main London Stock Market.

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AIM was established in 1995 as a global market for smaller growing companies and has raised almost £24 Billion (£24,000,000,000) for more than 2,200 companies. The companies that have joined AIM represent a broad range of sizes from start ups to companies valued in excess of £150 Million. Flexibility is provided by less regulation and no requirements for capitalisation or number of shares issued, but companies need a Nominated Adviser which is not required for a main market listing. There are companies from a broad range of business sectors ranging from media, mining, support services, software and biotech’s and many more.

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Some companies have since moved onto the main market but also Main market companies have moved down to AIM because of the significant tax advantages for investors as well as less regulatory burden for the companies themselves.

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An important element of AIM’s model is the composition of its investor base. Although AIM listed companies are not usually start ups they can be small and therefore be more risky and as a consequence AIMs investor base is largely composed of institutional and financially experienced private investors.

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AIM gives companies the opportunity to raise funds and develop strong investor relationships and trade shares on a stock exchange at an early stage in their business development. At the same time, for investors that understand and accept the risks, AIM provides the opportunity to invest in the early stage potential of a business.

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Although the prevailing world wide economic conditions have made admission and fund raising a more challenging task AIM remains a vibrant and growing stock market.