Thomas B. Astle

National Bank Financial, Inc. (Broker) (NBF-Broker) is the broker/dealer division of National Bank Financial, Inc., a Canadian mutual fund manager headquartered in Montréal, Quebec. The firm was founded in 1902 and is a direct subsidiary of National Bank Acquisition Holding, Inc., ultimately owned by National Bank of Canada (TSX: NA). NBF-Broker provides retail advisory and brokerage services with institutional brokerage, investment banking, corporate finance and securities clearing services for third parties. The firm has a substantial presence in all regions of Canada, as well as operations in the US and Europe.

Difference Capital Financial, Inc. is a venture capital company, which engages in investing in growth companies. Its portfolio inludes financial technologies, internet, media and media technologies, technologies, healthcare, and other. The company was founded by Henry Kneis, Paul D. Sparkes, and Michael A. Wekerle on January 14, 1972 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

Dundee Capital Markets, Inc. provided financing and advisory services. It focused on specific sectors namely, resources, comprising mining, energy, forestry, fertilizers and agriculture, real estate, and infrastructure. The company was founded in December 10, 2010 and was headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

Merrill Lynch Canada, Inc. is a Canadian broker/dealer headquartered in Toronto, Ontario. They are a subsidiary of Midland Walwyn, Inc. and their ultimate parent is Bank of America Corp. (NYSE: BAC). The firm offers brokerage and investment banking services as well as commercial lending, global high-yield debt, global equity, and M&A services to institutional and retail clients.

Founded in 2009, Byron Capital Markets is a broker/dealer located in Toronto, Ontario. The firm is a subsidiary of Byron Securities Ltd., a Toronto-based investment dealer and member of the Investment Industry Regulator Organization of Canada (IIROC). Byron Capital Markets focuses on providing superior services to small- and mid-cap companies in a variety of market segments. Historically, the firm has focused on the mining, energy, technology, biotechnology and healthcare sectors. They also provide investment banking services in the areas of alternative energy and rare earth and other non-conventional mining and exploration industries. Byron Capital Markets' Sales & Trading division offers trading access to all Canadian equity markets and alternate trading systems.

BPLI Holdings, Inc. provides online e-Learning applications. It operates through the following segments: Bluedrop Learning Networks and Bluedrop Training and Simulation. The Bluedrop Learning Networks segment provides learning management solutions and content to private and public sector customers. The Bluedrop Training and Simulation segment provides custom courseware development, training products, and resource augmentation solutions. The company was founded by Emad Rizkalla in 1992 and is headquartered in St. John's, Canada.