ELITE further develops in the northern region of Portugal, joining forces with AEP and Católica Porto Business School

 

• Five new Portuguese companies join the ELITE network, gaining access to strategic resources to enhance growth and international expansion.   
• First successful launch in the north of the country supported by AEP and with Católica Business School as academic partner

Lisbon – 4 December 2024 – ELITE, the Euronext ecosystem supporting privately owned small and medium-sized companies in their sustainable long-term growth, continues its expansion in Portugal and today welcomed five new companies on the occasion of the launch of its fourth Portuguese group. This new initiative is the first based on collaboration with AEP (Portuguese Entrepreneurial Association, Chamber of Commerce and Industry) and Católica Porto Business School as the academic partner.

The new members – Barpa (Grupo Argon), Extra Transportes, Lipimalhas, Tech4Home and Vizelpas – represent a diverse range of sectors, including technology, industrial goods and services, personal and household goods, and retail. Their inclusion in ELITE underscores the continued expansion and growing influence of the network, which now counts 29 Portuguese companies from 14 sectors, generating €1.8 billion in aggregate revenues and employing over 11,600 people across the country.

As members of ELITE, these companies will gain access to Euronext’s extensive resources and expertise, designed to foster long-term growth. The partnership aims to enhance their access to three fundamental sources of capital: educational, relational and financial. It facilitates access to private and public alternative financial tools and markets, empowering them to expand globally and strengthen their market positions.

In collaboration with Católica Porto Business School, ELITE will roll out a comprehensive three-part programme to strengthen the new participants' strategic capabilities. The Strategy & Finance series will help companies refine their plans and objectives across three modules: Entering New Markets, Growing as an International Company, and Financing Your Growth. The programme combines academic insights, practical business expertise, peer-to-peer networking and tailored individual support. As part of this educational journey, these companies will also access four international workshops curated and organised by ELITE, focusing on key topics such as negotiation in complex contexts, private and public capital for sustainable growth, sustainability, and talent acquisition and retention. ELITE will host these workshops across its main European campuses, including Paris, Lisbon, Amsterdam and Milan.

Marta Testi, CEO of ELITE, commented: “We value the importance of growth and development for high-potential Portuguese companies, which is why we are excited to announce the launch of this fourth group in Portugal and ELITE’s first initiative in Porto. Partnering with Associação Empresarial de Portugal (AEP) and Católica Porto Business School, we aim to support and strengthen the strategic capabilities of these companies as they navigate their journey towards growth and success. Our growing Portuguese network now includes 29 companies from 14 sectors, collectively generating over €1.8 billion in aggregate revenues. We are committed to empowering local businesses and helping them thrive in today's competitive landscape.”

Luís Miguel Ribeiro, CEO of AEP, said: “From the very first moment, AEP recognised the importance of the ELITE programme in strengthening the internationalisation processes of Portuguese companies, providing them with crucial tools to compete in a global environment. These objectives align with AEP's mission to support companies’ sustainable growth. We have a history of working with Euronext that has resulted in effective gains for our companies, which means this partnership has a solid basis for helping to strengthen their competitiveness.”

 

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