Among these high net-worth clients, the company will look at those with a minimum portfolio worth Rs 30 lakh. In the next stage, the company will take on smaller investors. Asked whether they would take on clients who could afford to place orders of 100 shares and less at a time, Raja said that would include all categories of investors.

The website of Investsmart (www.investsmartindia.com) is geared to be one-stop shop where the investors can get all the necessary information to execute trasdes - right from real-time price quotes (through a tie-up with Reuters), research on companies, analysis of scrip movements, recommendations, a view of account balances, instant trade confirmations and customised data on mutual funds offerings as well as on-line advice for creating and managing their portfolios.

At present, the company has tied up with HDFC Bank, but it is in talks with five other banks. The broking firm plans to set up 60 branches around the country and also put in place around 20-25 Internet kiosks (those who have access to individual connections can trade online). Being a depository participant. the firm already has a facility of allowing members to accesss their securities balances online.

-- Janaki KrishnanConvergence Net investor goes public
Convergence Holdings Plc said it was listing on Monday on the London stock market, joining the growing ranks of Internet investment companies. Convergence - initially funded with 10 million pounds put up by its founders - will specialise in the convergence of the Internet, digital television and other new media formats. Convergence owns 75 per cent of Invest TV which roduces BSkyB's new personal finance channel, Simply Money.

--Reuters