Nasdaq listing for Canada companies.
The senior US venue for growth companies. A reverse takeover reaches Nasdaq either by merging into a Nasdaq-listed shell or by uplisting from the OTC Markets once the initial listing standards are met.
For a private company in Canada, the Nasdaq Stock Market can be reached through a reverse takeover — the merger of the operating business into a shell company — provided the applicable listing standards are met.
- A Canada company can reach the Nasdaq Stock Market by merging into a listed shell, or by uplisting to it from a lower tier once the standards are met.
- Nasdaq operates three tiers — the Capital Market, the Global Market, and the Global Select Market — each with quantitative thresholds for equity or market value, public float, shareholders, and a minimum US$4.00 bid price, plus corporate-governance requirements.
- US-standard audited financials from a PCAOB-registered auditor are required, and are usually the critical-path item.
- Reverse Takeover arranges and coordinates the transaction; the regulated work is done by licensed specialists.
The route in brief
| Venue | Nasdaq — the Nasdaq Stock Market |
|---|---|
| Route | Reverse takeover into a listed shell, or uplisting from a lower tier once standards are met. |
| Standards | Nasdaq operates three tiers — the Capital Market, the Global Market, and the Global Select Market — each with quantitative thresholds for equity or market value, public float, shareholders, and a minimum US$4.00 bid price, plus corporate-governance requirements. |
| Home market | Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV) · regulator CSA |
| Currency | Canadian dollar (CAD) |
| Our role | Advisory and arranger; not a broker-dealer, law firm or auditor. |
Nasdaq for Canada companies
Nasdaq suits Canadian technology, life-sciences, and higher-growth resource-technology companies seeking valuations and coverage beyond the domestic market. Many Canadian issuers interlist on Nasdaq alongside a TSX quote; a reverse takeover reaches it by merging into a listed shell or uplisting from the OTC once standards, including the US$4.00 minimum bid, are met.
Structuring a reverse takeover from Canada
Cross-border TSX/US structures are common and well trodden, which is a genuine advantage for Canadian issuers. Canadian and US counsel routinely coordinate the disclosure, securities-law, and tax aspects of a reverse takeover, and the multijurisdictional disclosure system historically eased certain cross-border filings between the two countries. A Canadian corporation can often serve as the listed parent, so the offshore holding-company layer that emerging-market deals require is frequently unnecessary; where a US shell is used, counsel address continuity-of-ownership and residency questions directly. The substantive early work is tax — Canadian and US treatment of the combined group, withholding, and any interlisting mechanics — which should be modelled with specialist cross-border advisers. Treat this as orientation and rely on counsel for the specific structure.
Considering Nasdaq for your Canada company?
Start an enquiry →Nasdaq listing for Canada companies — FAQ
Q1Can a Canada company list on Nasdaq via reverse takeover?
A Canada company can reach the Nasdaq Stock Market by merging into a shell already listed there, or by uplisting once it meets the applicable standards. Nasdaq operates three tiers — the Capital Market, the Global Market, and the Global Select Market — each with quantitative thresholds for equity or market value, public float, shareholders, and a minimum US$4.00 bid price, plus corporate-governance requirements.
Q2What are the Nasdaq listing standards?
Nasdaq operates three tiers — the Capital Market, the Global Market, and the Global Select Market — each with quantitative thresholds for equity or market value, public float, shareholders, and a minimum US$4.00 bid price, plus corporate-governance requirements. Meeting these standards, and maintaining them, is assessed with US securities counsel as part of the transaction.
Q3Is Reverse Takeover a broker-dealer?
No. Reverse Takeover is an advisory and arranger, not a registered broker-dealer, law firm or auditor. Regulated activities are performed by licensed US securities counsel, PCAOB-registered auditors, transfer agents and broker-dealers coordinated on the transaction.
Other US venues for Canada companies
- NYSE American listingCanada → NYSE American
- OTC Markets listingCanada → OTC Markets
- Canada — all routesCountry overview
This page is general, educational information about listing routes and is not investment, legal, tax, or accounting advice, nor an offer or solicitation. Regulatory details change and vary by circumstance; obtain advice from qualified US securities counsel and your home-market advisers. See our disclosures.