Aequitas Raises Additional Capital Ahead of Stock Exchange Launch

Aequitas Innovations Inc. (Aequitas) is thrilled to announce it has completed a significantly oversubscribed pre-launch share offering, ahead of the March 27, 2015 launch of operations of its stock exchange subsidiary, Aequitas NEO Exchange Inc. (NEO Exchange). Indications of interest from both founding shareholders and new shareholders represented close to 150% of the amount Aequitas originally planned to raise.

Dedicated to its commitment of a diversified ownership, Aequitas distributed its offering to ensure the optimal representation of all market participants and stakeholders.

New shareholders representing investors and capital-raising companies include British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (bcIMC), Davis Rea Ltd, Invesco Canada Ltd, Vernon & Park Capital L.P., as well as accomplished and prominent individual investors and corporate directors Vincent Chahley, Perry Dellelce and Lloyd Swift.

New shareholders representing the dealer community include Jones Gable & Co Ltd, Maison Placements Canada Inc., BBS Securities Inc. and Don Ross, Chairman of Jones Gable & Co Ltd.

"I am very honoured and pleased to be able to welcome such a strong and diversified group of new shareholders," stated Jos Schmitt, President & Chief Executive Officer, Aequitas. "The over-subscription on our share offering gives us a clear vote of confidence in what we stand for and what we are working to achieve. New and founding shareholders - whether individual, investor, dealer or capital-raiser - clearly share our vision on how to restore investor confidence, revive public company success and re-energize the role of the dealers. They have laid the foundations of the NEO Exchange, an exchange Canadians can believe in and the industry can be proud of."

The majority ownership of Aequitas remains, in an even more substantial way, within the hands of investors and capital-raising companies.

"At Invesco Canada, we focus on putting investors' interests first.Becoming a shareholder of Aequitas is a natural extension of this commitment. We are confident that the NEO Exchange will become an important tool for advisors to help their clients build and protect wealth," said Peter Intraligi, President & Chief Operating Officer, Invesco Canada Ltd.

Since day one, Aequitas has encouraged market participants to make their voice heard and impact the future direction of the Canadian capital markets.

"Far too many voices go unheard today within the Canadian capital markets. Current exchanges have lost sight of their core purpose in order to grow their own profits. The capital markets work best when all participants, investors and companies come together in one place. That place is now the NEO Exchange. All independent dealers in Canada and their valued clients can be assured that their voice will be heard and their interests considered," added John Ing, President & Chief Executive Officer, Maison Placements Canada Inc.

About Aequitas Innovations Inc. and Aequitas NEO Exchange Inc.

Aequitas NEO Exchange Inc. is a new Canadian stock exchange using a bold new blueprint that puts investors, companies raising capital and their dealers first. On track to launch its initial operations in March 2015, the NEO Exchange will offer trading, listings and, through one of its affiliates, related technology services. Its goal is to advantage all market participants and offer a fair chance to participate. The NEO Exchange is a wholly owned subsidiary of Aequitas Innovations Inc., a company founded by a diverse group of prominent investors representing all Canadian capital markets stakeholders.

For more information, please visit: www.aequitasneoexchange.com

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