The First Capital Market Academy was Held

According to Signet Bank’s estimates, since 2020, more than 40 Latvian companies have raised around 1 billion euros through bond issues, as well as the shares of three Latvian companies have been quoted on the stock exchange. However, the market research conducted by Signet Bank shows that 83% of the surveyed CEOs have not considered attracting financing for their company’s growth through the capital market, referring to the lack of knowledge about the opportunities provided by the capital market as the main argument. In order to boost awareness among entrepreneurs and business leaders about raising funds through the capital market, on June 9, Signet Bank held the first Capital Market Academy in Latvia.

During the academy, industry professionals shared their expertise, both theoretical and practical, on raising funds through stock and bond issues, as well as discussed the following topics:

•              In what situations is it worth thinking about raising finance in the capital market?

•              If a company wants to raise finance in the capital market, what kind of homework should it do?

•              What is the process of raising funds and how long does it take?

•              What are investors’ expectations?

•              How to maximize the benefits of the capital market in your company’s interests?

The team of lecturers at the Capital Market Academy included professionals with significant experience in promoting and developing the Latvian capital market. Personal stories about company growth were shared by the representatives of Virši-A, CleanR Grupa, Delfingroup. The following speakers shared their knowledge about the process of raising capital: Liene Dubava, Nasdaq Riga Board Member; Kristiāna Janvare and Edmunds Antufjevs, Heads of Signet Bank Investment Banking; Ģirts Rūda, ESG Officer of Eversheds Sutherland Bitāns; Justīne Ignatavičute and Sabīne Vilka, Senior Lawyers of Eversheds Sutherland Bitāns; Edgars Pētersons, a partner at WKND; Andrejs Martinovs, Chairman of the Board of INVL Asset Management; Mikus Janvars, a partner at Merito Partners; Artūrs Dreimanis, Head of Investor Relations at DelfinGroup.

The Latvian capital market has immeasurable potential and opportunities to provide additional financing to local companies, while contributing to the faster development of the Latvian economy. The Capital Market Academy aims not only to provide entrepreneurs and business leaders with knowledge and understanding about raising funds through the capital market, but also to promote the development of the Latvian capital market and strengthen the national economy as a whole. I believe that better access to finance and greater awareness will allow ambitious local entrepreneurs to increase their business volumes faster, grow their company value, hire qualified employees, and pay higher taxes to the state of Latvia – this will benefit the entire Latvian society.

Roberts Idelsons, Chairman of the Board of Signet Bank

The next Capital Market Academy is scheduled for the fall of 2023, we invite those who wish to apply by writing an email to [email protected].

Capital Market Academy is a social project initiated by Signet Bank and designed to increase awareness among entrepreneurs and business leaders about raising funds through the capital market. Participation in the Capital Market Academy is free of charge.