PDQ ATS, Inc. operates the PDQ ATS, an innovative trading platform licensed from and featuring the patented technology of software development firm PDQ Enterprises, LLC. PDQ Enterprises was founded by Christopher Keith, former Chief Technology Officer of NYSE, and received patent protection in January 2008 for its process of allowing algorithms to spawn contra liquidity in response to order flow.

PDQ stands for Procedure Derived Quotes. The PDQ ATS trading platform is powered by an algorithm hosting facility and response mechanism that allows Liquidity Providers (i.e., proprietary trading desks, market makers and other high-frequency trading firms) to respond to order flow via their proprietary algorithmic trading procedures. These responses "spawn" new liquidity to facilitate the execution of an order from PDQ ATS subscribers seeking increased liquidity and potential price improvement. Confidentiality of all orders is assured because the algorithms of Liquidity Providers are hosted and operated at the PDQ facility. PDQ ATS, Inc. is a registered broker dealer and alternative trading system.