European Small and Mid-Cap Awards Honor Outstanding SMEs in Budapest

European Small and Mid-Cap Awards Honor Outstanding SMEs in Budapest

(IN BRIEF) The 12th European Small and Mid-Cap Awards, held during the SME Assembly in Budapest, celebrated exceptional SMEs that accessed capital markets through IPOs over the past two years. Organized by FESE, EuropeanIssuers, and the European Commission, the awards highlighted the importance of SMEs in driving innovation, job creation, and economic growth. Winners included OKWind (Star of 2024), Gubra (Star of Innovation), STIF (International Star), mmcité (Rising Star), and Eurobank (Special Mention). The event showcased how public capital markets empower SMEs to thrive, supporting Europe’s green and digital transitions while inspiring future growth.

(PRESS RELEASE) BUDAPEST, 20-Nov-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — The 12th edition of the European Small and Mid-Cap Awards took place yesterday during the SME Assembly in Budapest, Hungary. Organized by the Federation of European Securities Exchanges (FESE), EuropeanIssuers, and the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship, and SMEs, the event celebrated exceptional small and mid-cap companies that accessed capital markets through Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) in the past two years.

The awards recognized the diversity of Europe’s capital markets and aimed to promote public listings for SMEs and growth companies, highlighting their vital role in driving innovation, economic growth, and job creation.

Award Categories and Winners

An independent jury evaluated nominees across four categories:

• Star of 2024: Recognizing exceptional leadership, ESG practices, and financial performance, awarded to OKWind, listed on Euronext Paris.
• Star of Innovation: Honoring innovation-driven strategy, awarded to Gubra, listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen.
• International Star: Highlighting success in international sales, profit, and market share, awarded to STIF, listed on Euronext Paris.
• Rising Star: Celebrating SMEs with remarkable growth potential, awarded to mmcité, listed on the Prague Stock Exchange.
• Special Mention: Recognizing significant contributions to facilitating capital market access, awarded to Eurobank, listed on the Athens Stock Exchange.

Expert Insights

Bonifacio García-Porras, Head of Unit SMEs at the European Commission, emphasized the importance of capital markets for SME growth: “This year’s nominees showcased exceptional growth, innovation, and global success. We hope their achievements inspire other businesses to explore the benefits of EU capital markets.”

Petr Koblic, President of FESE, underscored the significance of IPOs: “Listing on capital markets is an achievement in itself. These awards highlight the opportunities exchanges provide for companies to grow and innovate.”

Luc Vansteenkiste, Chairman of EuropeanIssuers, celebrated the winners’ contributions to Europe’s economy: “Small and medium enterprises are the backbone of Europe. Their growth is essential for fostering innovation, job creation, and economic prosperity.”

A Vision for Growth

The ceremony demonstrated the transformative impact of public capital markets on SMEs, providing them with the resources to thrive while advancing Europe’s green and digital transitions. The winners serve as examples of ambition, vision, and resilience, inspiring other companies to leverage stock exchanges for sustainable growth.

Jury Panel

The winners were selected by a distinguished jury of financial experts, including industry leaders and journalists from across Europe.

The European Small and Mid-Cap Awards continue to spotlight the pivotal role of SMEs in Europe’s economic future, reinforcing their importance in building a resilient, innovative, and sustainable economy.

Notes to editors:

The Awards Jury

The shortlisted companies are chosen by an independent jury:

• Detlef Fechtner, EU Correspondent, Börsen-Zeitung
• Eglė Fredriksson, Portfolio Manager, East Capital
• Ekaterina Gianelli, Partner, Inventure
• Martin Hock, Finance Editor, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (F.A.Z.)
• Phaedon Tamvakakis, Vice Chairman, Alpha Trust Investment Services

About the European Commission

The Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW) of the European Commission develops and implements a range of policies to improve access to finance for SMEs in the EU. SMEs are critical to European economic recovery and to accomplishing the EU’s goals of job creation, competitiveness and growth. For more information, please visit https://ec.europa.eu/growth/access-to-finance_en.

About EuropeanIssuers

EuropeanIssuers is a pan-European organisation representing the interests of publicly quoted companies across Europe to the EU Institutions. We seek capital markets that serve the interests of their end users, including issuers. For more information, please visit www.europeanissuers.eu.

About FESE

The Federation of European Securities Exchanges (FESE) represents 36 exchanges in equities, bonds, derivatives and commodities through 17 Full Members and 1 Affiliate Member from 31 countries.

Media Contacts:

EuropeanIssuers:   
Véronique De Hertogh
Membership/Event/Office Manager
veronique.dehertogh@europeanissuers.eu
+32 2 216 92 47

FESE:
Marián Caro                                                                            Communications Officer
caro@fese.eu
+32 2 551 01 87

SOURCE: EuropeanIssuers