Euronext’s ELITE Ecosystem Launches First Cohort of French Companies to Drive Sustainable Growth

(IN BRIEF) Euronext’s ELITE ecosystem has launched its first cohort of five French companies, aimed at supporting their sustainable growth and enhancing their access to capital markets. This marks a significant milestone for ELITE, which now includes over 2,300 companies from 23 European countries since its establishment in 2012. The new members, operating in key sectors such as energy and technology, will benefit from the guidance of eight partners, including ESCP Business School, through a structured program that offers education, business support, and connections to vital funding sources. ELITE has facilitated around €22 billion in capital through numerous corporate transactions, emphasizing the potential of SMEs when provided with efficient market access.

(PRESS RELEASE) PARIS, 2-Oct-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Euronext’s ELITE ecosystem, dedicated to fostering the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and facilitating their access to capital markets, has officially launched its inaugural cohort in France, bringing five new companies into its network.

With the inclusion of these five French firms, ELITE continues to broaden its reach, now encompassing over 2,300 companies from 23 European nations since its inception in 2012. Following the successful integration of companies from the Netherlands and Portugal in 2023, this French cohort marks a significant milestone for the ELITE network, contributing to the over 100 companies that have joined this year alone.

The newly inducted French companies operate across diverse sectors, including energy and technology, with a presence in Europe, North America, and Asia. They will receive support from eight local partners, including ESCP Business School, which serves as an academic collaborator. The structured program offered by ELITE aims to equip these businesses for their next growth phase, combining educational resources, business support, and mentoring, while also connecting them with essential corporate finance and funding avenues.

Since its launch, ELITE has played a pivotal role in connecting private SMEs to capital markets, supporting their long-term sustainable growth. The network assists management teams in navigating their development trajectories and identifying optimal funding solutions, ranging from Basket Bonds® to institutional investment, private equity, and public equity markets. To date, ELITE has facilitated approximately €22 billion in capital through over 2,000 corporate transactions, showcasing the vitality of SMEs given efficient access to both private and public funding sources.

In addition to its ongoing initiatives, ELITE is also a key player in the French-Italian Accelerator program, which was launched in 2021 in partnership with Bpifrance, Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP), and Team France Export. This initiative provides selected companies with tailored growth processes, including specialized training and bilateral business matching. Following a successful initial edition, the program was renewed in 2023, allowing around 70 companies from France and Italy to explore sustainable growth opportunities across both markets.

Marta Testi, CEO of ELITE, remarked, “Today marks a pivotal moment as we welcome five French companies into the ELITE ecosystem. This achievement underscores our commitment to empowering European SMEs for sustainable growth. ELITE serves as a vital bridge, connecting companies to the knowledge, relationships, and funding they need to thrive. With the support of our partners, we continue to demonstrate the power of collective action in enhancing the growth of our real economy and the success of our enterprises.”

Professor Véronique Tran, Vice-President of Executive Education and Corporate Relations at ESCP Business School, stated, “We are excited to support the latest phase of Euronext’s ELITE program, which reflects our mutual commitment to fostering sustainable, value-driven growth and responsible leadership. Through ESCP Custom Solutions, we will provide training for SME leaders, assisting them in setting and achieving their strategic goals. This partnership aims to cultivate a new generation of leaders capable of navigating complex environments while adhering to principles of sustainability and corporate social responsibility.”

The five French companies joining the ELITE network are:

Almae Technologies: Manufacturer of ultra-high-speed integrated photonic chips, based in Marcoussis, Ile-De-France. Website
Marline: Specializes in motor oils and fuels, located in Brieres Les Scelles, Ile-De-France. Website
Prodeval: Focuses on biogas recovery from organic waste, headquartered in Chateauneuf Sur Isère, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Website
(Two additional companies opted not to disclose their participation.)

Other partners supporting the program include:

BCTG Avocats: Business law firm based in Paris. Website
Climate Partners: Consulting firm specializing in climate action, located in Paris. Website
Colombus Consulting: Business transformation consulting firm with offices in Paris and Nyon, Switzerland. Website
Largillière Finance: Investment bank focused on small and mid-cap transactions, with locations in Paris, Lyon, Nantes, Geneva, and Brussels. Website
NG Audit: Audit and financial consulting firm with offices in Paris, Nancy, and Strasbourg. Website
PDGB: Business law firm based in Paris. Website
Rochefort & Associés: Investment bank providing advisory services in M&A and financing. Website

This new cohort reflects Euronext’s ongoing dedication to empowering SMEs and promoting sustainable economic growth throughout Europe.

About ELITE

ELITE, launched in 2012 by Borsa Italiana and now part of Euronext Group, is the European network of private SMEs which accelerates the process to access private and public capital markets. ELITE’s mission is to support companies by connecting them to capital, skills and network to drive their sustainable growth in the long-term. Based on a unique offer of services and solutions, ELITE combines a calendar of workshops and coaching sessions, supporting entrepreneurs and executives upskilling and empowering their strategic plan and business opportunities. ELITE Companies’ management teams are also guided on how to fast-track their development and how to access the most suitable funding options for their needs, whether the Basket Bonds®, institutional investors, private equity, venture capital or equity markets. With over 2000 companies and 200 partners admitted since the launch, about €22 billion have been raised by ELITE businesses through 2000+ corporate transactions, highlighting how dynamic SMEs are once they are provided with an efficient access to private and public markets. For the latest news, go to elite-network.com or follow us on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/elite_group/).

About ESCP Business School

ESCP Business School was founded in 1819. The School has chosen to teach responsible leadership, open to the world and based on European multiculturalism. Six campuses in Berlin, London, Madrid, Paris, Turin and Warsaw are the stepping stones that allow students to experience this European approach to management. Several generations of entrepreneurs and managers were thus trained in the firm belief that the business world may feed society in a positive way. This conviction and ESCP’s values – excellence, singularity, creativity and plurality – daily guide our mission and build its pedagogical vision. Every year, ESCP welcomes 10,000+ students and 6,000 managers from 135 different nationalities. Its strength lies in its many business training programmes, both general and specialised (Bachelor, Master, MBA, Executive MBA, PhD and Executive Education), all of which include a multi-campus experience.

It all starts here: www.escp.eu

Contact: Sera Royal, +33 1 49 23 27 66, sroyal@escp.eu

About Euronext
Euronext is the leading pan-European market infrastructure, connecting European economies to global capital markets, to accelerate innovation and sustainable growth. It operates regulated exchanges in Belgium, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and Portugal. With nearly 1,900 listed issuers and around €6.5 trillion in market capitalisation as of end June 2024, it has an unmatched blue-chip franchise and a strong diverse domestic and international client base. Euronext operates regulated and transparent equity and derivatives markets, one of Europe’s leading electronic fixed income trading markets and is the largest centre for debt and funds listings in the world. Its total product offering includes Equities, FX, Exchange Traded Funds, Warrants & Certificates, Bonds, Derivatives, Commodities and Indices. The Group provides a multi-asset clearing house through Euronext Clearing, and custody and settlement services through Euronext Securities central securities depositories in Denmark, Italy, Norway and Portugal. Euronext also leverages its expertise in running markets by providing technology and managed services to third parties. In addition to its main regulated market, it also operates a number of junior markets, simplifying access to listing for SMEs.
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