30 high-growth European innovators selected for EnterNext’s TechShare programme
Amsterdam, Brussels, Lisbon and Paris – 2 July 2015– EnterNext, the Euronext subsidiary dedicated to promoting and growing the market for SMEs[1], todayannounced the September 2015 launch of its educational programme designed especially for fast-growing tech companies. Called TechShare, this unique pan-European course was created by EnterNext to familiarise innovative businesses with capital markets and gives them the information they need to take their companies to market.
TechShare, a bold European project designed especially for fast-growing companies
EnterNext is acutely aware of tech stocks’ market potential, and in November 2014 launched three initiatives to strengthen the clout and visibility of innovative SMEs. TechShare is the third of these, following the rollout of the Tech 40 label and the launch of Morningstar’s commitment to publishing information and analyses of young companies.
TechShare helps leaders of tech companies better understand the role of financial markets and how they work. Entrepreneurs are thus better able to judge the opportunity of listing in tandem with their specific business projects, and to prepare in good time.
More specifically, the 30 successful candidates will be offered customized training over a 12-month period based on three components:
- two on-site academic sessions organized in conjunction with the European Business School HEC Paris and the Engineering School Ecole Polytechnique (France);
- technical workshops organized year-round with industry experts;
- individual coaching sessions with auditors, lawyers and communications advisers.
The course will begin on 18-19 September with an on-site session at Ecole Polytechnique’s campus in France. It will be repeated each year.
Pan-European training
TechSharecovers all Euronext countries, combining a pan-European and local approach. The inaugural class consists of 30 tech businesses—15 French, five Belgian, five Dutch and five Portuguese. Their representatives will meet at on-site sessions, with technical workshops and one-on-one coaching organized by partners in their country of origin.
Selected for their innovative flair and impressive performance, participants are businesses active in digital technology, life sciences and eco-industries that might consider listing in the three years ahead.
Eric Forest, Chairman and CEO at EnterNext, said: “With TechShare, EnterNext aims to provide long-term assistance to tomorrow’s economic champions, starting well before listing. Education, proximity and close collaboration with target companies are our watchwords. Europe has a rich fabric of innovative companies and a pool of international investors prepared to support growth. We are convinced that financial markets have a role to play in company growth and our aim is to make Euronext a European benchmark for technology stocks. We are also very proud to have rallied so many truly outstanding partners and mentors to this project and we thank them for their participation.”
Well-known European partners serving TechShare entrepreneurs
Many European professionals have joined forces with EnterNext to accompany these businesses. Their aim is to familiarize entrepreneurs with market expectations and advise on the best way to prepare for listing. Programme partners were selected for their expertise in their field of activity.