JP Jenkins and Vestd join forces to empower growth

JP Jenkins is an innovative venue enabling the trading of shares of unquoted private companies.

The platform, now powered by its new parent company InfinitX, is designed to drive transparency, access and liquidity in private companies by connecting them to capital markets via a network of brokers and other intermediaries.

JP Jenkins plays a critical role in the UK private market landscape, supporting its issuer members with all their liquidity needs, from fundraising through to secondary trading or recycling of capital.

As the UK’s most powerful share scheme platform, Vestd has been a key partnership goal for JP Jenkins. Veronika Oswald, Commercial Director at JP Jenkins states that:

"By joining forces with Vestd, both companies will be able to provide an added layer of support for customers. Vestd specialises in equity management and share scheme administration, and we can offer those customers access to a secondary market for their shares."

"This partnership enables companies to manage their equity efficiently and provides a mechanism for liquidity through the JP Jenkins' platform. This holistic approach fosters an environment conducive to growth and innovation."

Vestd’s founder and CEO, Ifty Nasir said that,

"Our bread and butter is helping companies of all sizes grow by using Vestd to share their equity. As companies progress and explore liquidity solutions, our partnership with JP Jenkins will give them an outlet for listing and trading their shares.

This seamless transition from internal equity management to external liquidity broadens financial opportunities for our customers, and I’m excited to see what this can do for them."

 

Megaphoning sale info

Via JP Jenkins, companies can broadcast their share information and price data. This is done in a similar way to publicly traded companies and raises company profiles through JP Jenkin’s vast investor base and wider network.

Investors can invest and hold shares in the same way as they would a publicly traded security. A key difference between being public and private on JP Jenkins (from a trading and investment perspective) is that publicly traded instruments are quote driven while shares on JP Jenkins are order driven in a matched bargain basis.

That simply means a willing buyer must meet a willing seller at the same price to be matched for trading. UK regulated brokers can now connect via InfinitX technology which gives network and reach to JP Jenkins’ issuers.

A significant coupling

Veronika Oswald, Commercial Director at JP Jenkins, emphasised the significance of this partnership, stating,

"Our collaboration with Vestd not only enriches our ecosystem by providing comprehensive equity management solutions but also underscores our commitment to supporting companies throughout their growth journey, offering them a tangible path to liquidity. This partnership is a testament to our dedication to innovation and accessibility in the private market space."

JP Jenkins supports companies committed to being private or on the path to IPO as well as companies seeking to go private.

Tende Energy, for example, was a company that had previously been listed on the AIM market and chose JP Jenkins to provide an active secondary market for their shares while recapitalising and acquiring new assets. This move was pivotal for Tende Energy, positioning it well for future public listings and growth, showcasing how JP Jenkins supports liquidity and access for growth companies looking to navigate the transition between private and public markets more smoothly.

Companies remaining private for longer

Morgan Stanley's 2024 private markets research highlights the increasing importance of private market liquidity solutions.

The research underscores a growing trend among companies to remain private for longer periods, driven by the desire for more controlled growth and the flexibility that private markets offer. This trend necessitates innovative liquidity solutions, like those provided by JP Jenkins, to meet the evolving needs of both companies and investors in this dynamic landscape.

By aligning with these market insights, JP Jenkins and Vestd are well-positioned to address the complexities and opportunities presented by the expanding private market sector.