Euronext today launches ELITE, its European ecosystem supporting private SMEs, in the Netherlands in collaboration with three leading Dutch partners: the Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship (ECE), ScaleUp Company and nlgroeit. ELITE is a valuable solution for ambitious private companies from any sector who are looking improve their growth strategy and also offers the possibility to explore alternative funding options.

The ELITE programme combines a calendar of workshops and coaching sessions, supporting entrepreneurs and executives in upskilling and empowering their strategic plan and business opportunities and the expansion of their network of international peers. ELITE companies’ management teams are also guided on how to speed up their development and how to access the most suitable funding options for their needs: from debt to equity, from private to public. Participating companies typically have revenues of around €50 million+, (spanning from €10 to €300 million), with good historic growth and future potential.

Euronext acquired ELITE as part of the acquisition of the Borsa Italiana Group in 2021, and has since been strongly committed to expanding the programme in Euronext countries as part of Euronext's "Growth for Impact 2024" strategic plan. The expansion of the programme in the Netherlands follows the commitment to launch the ecosystem in Portugal earlier this year.

ELITE focuses on developing leadership skills and growth strategies, creating a broader network and providing access to new sources of capital or to unlock available capital. The ecosystem now serves a community of more than 1,400 companies from 23 European countries, and a large number of advisers and partners. To date ELITE companies have undertaken more than 1,300 corporate transactions worth in aggregate approximately €20 billion, highlighting how active SMEs can be once they are provided with efficient access to private and public markets.

The programme will kick off in the Netherlands this October and will welcome up to 15 companies meeting the criteria each year. The three Dutch partners are involved in both the development and implementation of the growth programme.

Marta Testi, Chief Executive Officer of ELITE, said: “I am delighted to kick-start ELITE in the Netherlands leveraging on Euronext’s European footprint, Euronext Amsterdam and our trusted local partners, with whom we launch ELITE for the Netherlands and who become part of our global ELITE ecosystem. We look forward to supporting vibrant Dutch businesses, providing them with access to the skills, relationships, and capital they need to achieve their potential. We recognise that these companies are the innovators, job creators and drivers of economic prosperity.”

Kees de Jong, Co-Founder of nlgroeit, said: "The ELITE programme is a very valuable addition to the development opportunities available to Dutch companies. Especially for leaders who want to give an extra boost to development, this programme is extremely suitable."

Professor Dr Justin Jansen, Scientific Director of the Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship (ECE), said: “Many companies with revenues of around €30 to €40 million face significant challenges when it comes to strategy and anchoring profitable growth, which is precisely what we focus on in this curriculum.”

Mirik Castro, Chief Executive Officer of ScaleUp Company, said: “Besides choosing the right growth strategy and the underlying planning, its execution is especially crucial for companies. The right guidance can help significantly in this regard.”