• Five companies join ELITE in France to accelerate their sustainable growth and to access funding and support in capital markets
• Eight partners already joined the ELITE ecosystem in France, including ESCP Business School
• Over 2,300 companies and 200 partners in Europe are part of the ELITE network

Paris – 1 October 2024 – ELITE, Euronext’s ecosystem supporting small and medium-sized companies to grow and to access funding and support within capital markets, today welcomes five French companies on the occasion of the launch of its first French cohort.

ELITE continues to expand its network, surpassing 2,300 companies from 23 European countries since its launch in 2012. After welcoming companies from the Netherlands and Portugal in 2023, this first French cohort marks a new milestone in the development of the ELITE network. More than 100 companies joined ELITE since the beginning of 2024.

The five French companies joining the ELITE network have operations across Europe, North America and Asia, and operate in key sectors as energy and technology.
They will benefit from the support of eight French partners, including ESCP Business School as academic partner.
These French companies will undergo a structured program designed to support them in preparing for their next phase of growth. Combining education, business support and mentoring, ELITE also connects business owners to vital corporate finance and funding sources, whether through equity, debt, or capital markets. 

Launched in 2012, ELITE is the European network of private small and medium companies which accelerates the process to access 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.
ELITE companies’ management teams are 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.

About €22 billion have been raised by ELITE businesses through more than 2,000 corporate transactions, highlighting how dynamic SMEs are once they are provided with an efficient access to private and public markets. 
ELITE is also part of the French-Italian Accelerator programme, launched in 2021 in collaboration with Bpifrance, Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP) and Team France Export.
This programme enables selected companies to participate in dedicated growth processes that include training activities and bilateral business matching meetings.
After a successful first edition, it was renewed in 2023. The initiative allows Italian and French companies to identify and seize sustainable growth opportunities in both countries.
About 70 French and Italian companies already took part in the program. To read the press release announcing the launch of the second edition of the French-Italian Accelerator programme, click here.

Marta Testi, CEO of ELITE, said: "Today, we celebrate an important milestone as we welcome five French companies into the ELITE ecosystem. This achievement reflects our commitment to empowering European small and medium-sized enterprises for sustainable growth. ELITE serves as a bridge, connecting companies with the knowledge, relationships, and funding necessary for their expansion. With the support of our partners, we continue to demonstrate the power of collective action in driving the growth of our real economy and supporting the success of our companies.”

Professor Véronique Tran, Vice-President, Executive Education and Corporate Relations at ESCP Business School, said: "We are thrilled to support the latest deployment of Euronext’s ELITE programme, which reflects our shared commitment to sustainable, value-driven growth and responsible leadership. ESCP Custom Solutions will train SME CEOs, helping their organisations to set and implement strategic goals and plans. This partnership is part of a comprehensive approach to supporting high-potential businesses, which are the backbone of the economic ecosystem in France and Europe. By combining Euronext’s financial expertise with ESCP’s academic excellence, we aim to shape a new generation of leaders who can navigate complex environments with agility, while staying true to the principles of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility.” 
 

Download the pdf for the full press release