• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.177-189
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• 2022

This study proposes policy recommendations for the Korea New Exchange ("KONEX"), which is a financial platform for SMEs and startups that relied on indirect and policy financing in the past. SMEs and venture firms with limited human and physical listing resources can grow through market incubation, and venture capitalists expect an early exit or return on investment. However, the lack of liquidity and sluggish trading volume have weakened the function of the market. Despite prior policy efforts, the number of newly listed companies has decreased while listing demand for KOSDAQ and K-OTC has increased. This study aims to suggest short- and long-term improvements in regulations and throughout the KONEX firms' listing life cycle. First, the minimum deposit requirement on individual investors should be abolished to increase the number of investors. Second, information disclosure should be conducted by firms so that the nominated advisor can focus on discovering and supporting new listed companies. Third, in order to increase trading volume, the 5% dispersion rule should be changed to 25% dispersion incentive principle. Fourth, a new track without profit condition in expedited transfer listing should be introduced because the KOSDAQ relaxes the profit realization requirements for listing. Lastly, transfer listing without additional review for firms that fulfill ownership dispersion, information disclosure, and investor protection will strengthen the incubating role of the KONEX.