- A total of 24 companies in Portugal have now joined ELITE, aiming to accelerate sustainable growth and enhance their access to private and public capital
- The successful launch of this third group, consisting of eight Portuguese companies—part of the second cohort within the World Trade Center Lisboa International Academy—strengthens their position in a forward-looking and dynamic network
Lisbon – 12 September 2024 – Euronext, the leading pan-European market infrastructure, today introduced the third group of companies joining ELITE in Portugal, forming the second cohort within the World Trade Center Lisboa International Academy. This latest cohort introduces eight prominent Portuguese companies from seven diverse sectors: Aurea Phigital, Carris, Effisus, Engexpor, Frango Vaidoso, Outeirinho Group, TLG Global, and Transportes Paulo Duarte. Their participation marks a significant milestone, further expanding the ELITE network and building on the success of previous groups. This growth strengthens the diversity and vibrancy of ELITE’s dynamic community.
This new group is announced in partnership with the World Trade Center Lisboa, with the support of BBVA and the Portuguese Family Businesses Association.
By joining the World Trade Center Lisboa International Academy by ELITE, these companies will become part of Euronext’s ecosystem dedicated to fostering the long-term sustainable growth of small and medium-sized enterprises. As participants, they will benefit from enhanced access to both private and public capital, further solidifying their position within a dynamic and forward-looking network that already includes 24 Portuguese companies in ELITE.
Focusing on internationalisation and trade, experts from Nova School of Business and Economics (Nova SBE), ranked as the best Business School in Portugal, will deliver the training sessions. Additionally, four itinerant workshops will be held in Paris, Amsterdam, Lisbon and Milan offering contents and skills and enlarging networking options to engage with the entire European ecosystem.
The mission of this initiative, designed for Portuguese C-level executives, managers, and top entrepreneurs, is to support their export growth with international matchmaking opportunities through over 320 World Trade Center hubs in 93 countries and the ELITE – Euronext Group ecosystem of more than 2,000 companies and over 200 partners and investors across Europe, with a focus on Italy, France, Portugal, and the Netherlands.
Marta Testi, CEO of ELITE, said:” We are excited to launch the second edition of the WTC Lisboa International Academy by ELITE, a significant initiative to empower Portuguese companies to grow and expand globally. In partnership with World Trade Center Lisboa and with the support of BBVA and the Portuguese Family Businesses Association, we are pleased to welcome eight new Portuguese companies representing seven sectors to our ecosystem. We are committed to providing businesses with the resources needed to grow internationally. Building on the success of our 2023 launch and strong local support, this year marks a pivotal moment for ELITE’s expansion across Europe“.
Luciano Montenegro Menezes, CEO of the World Trade Center Lisboa, said: "The launch of the second edition of the WTC Lisboa International Academy by ELITE highlights the increasing ambition of Portuguese companies to make their mark on the global stage. We are enthusiastic about facilitating their international expansion and are eager to connect them with our extensive World Trade Centers worldwide network. This initiative underscores our commitment to supporting Portuguese businesses to reach new international markets."
Luís Castro e Almeida, CEO of BBVA Portugal, said: "We are proud to support the 'WTC Lisboa International Academy by ELITE' and contribute to the international growth of Portuguese enterprises. We aim to empower businesses to scale beyond Portugal through innovative financial solutions and strategic insights. This Academy aligns perfectly with BBVA’s mission to drive global expansion and foster sustainable growth, reflecting our commitment to helping companies succeed in an increasingly interconnected world."
José Germano de Sousa, Chairman of the Portuguese Family Businesses Association, said: “It is with great enthusiasm and high expectations that the Association of Family Businesses welcomes the start of the second edition of the International Academy by ELITE, as another excellent opportunity for Family Businesses to grow and consolidate their internationalization."
List of companies joining the World Trade Center Lisboa International Academy by ELITE:
| Company Name | Sector | Website | City |
| Aurea Phigital | Software&Computer Services | www.aureaphigital.com | Santa Cruz (Madeira) |
| Carris | Public Transportation | www.carris.pt | Lisbon |
| Effisus | Construction & Materials / Consulting | www.upwayssystems.com | Vila Nova de Famalicão |
| Engexpor | Industrial | www.engexpor.com | Lisbon |
| Frango Vaidoso | Consumer Services | www.FrangoVaidoso.pt | Setúbal |
| Outeirinho Group | Beverage | www.OuteirinhoGroup.com | Braga |
| TLG Global | Real Estate & Hospitality | www.TLG.vc | Lisbon |
| Transportes Paulo Duarte | Transport & Logistics | www.transportespauloduarte.pt | Torres Vedras |
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CONTACTS
About World Trade Center Lisboa The World Trade Center Lisboa (WTC Lisboa) is a modern development inaugurated in 2022, located in the Carnaxide area within the Lisbon metropolitan area. This business complex, with 70,000 square meters of built area, includes office spaces, commercial areas, and leisure zones. It aligns with the global concept of the 320 World Trade Centers worldwide in 93 countries, which aim to provide a high-quality international business environment. Since its creation in the 1960s in the USA, the WTC has focused on real estate, international trade, and the Business Club. It currently has an ecosystem involving more than 700,000 companies worldwide. In Portugal, the WTC Lisboa Business Club stands as an exclusive space within the WTC, meticulously designed to foster networking and business development. In addition to orchestrating international business missions, it currently boasts 7 committees – International Trade, Real Estate, Tourism & Entertainment, Innovation & Start-ups, Smart Cities, Investments & Financial Markets, ESG – which convene monthly and have already welcomed around 2,000 esteemed C-level executives and entrepreneurs in its 2 years of existence. With the aim of supporting the internationalization of Portuguese companies, WTC Lisboa has partnered with the Elite group from Euronext and NOVA SBE Executive Education to create, with the support of BBVA and AEF, the business training program "WTC Lisboa International Academy by ELITE," which just launched its 2nd edition set to begin in the 3rd quarter of 2024. For more info please visit: WTC - World Trade Center Lisboa - WTC Lisboa and follow us on Linkedin.
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About BBVA
BBVA has been present in Portugal since 1991 and is leading the transformation of banking worldwide, united in pursuing our goal of bringing the age of opportunity to everyone. Firmly focused on the future, our ongoing digital transformation is already producing disruptive innovations that power our vision of banking.
About Portuguese Family Businesses Association
Portuguese Family Businesses Association is a private, non-profit association, founded in 1998, with a national scope and covering all sectors of activity. The Association exists to help family businesses improve their management, broaden their knowledge and prepare for the only certainty today - change.
About ELITE
ELITE, launched in 2012 by Borsa Italiana and now part of Euronext Group, is the European network of private SMEs which accelerates the process to access private and public 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. Based on a unique offer of services and solutions, ELITE combines a calendar of workshops and coaching sessions, supporting entrepreneurs and executives upskilling and empowering their strategic plan and business opportunities. ELITE Companies’ management teams are also 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. With over 2000 companies and 200 partners admitted since the launch, about €20billion have been raised by ELITE businesses through 1200+ corporate transactions, highlighting how dynamic SMEs are once they are provided with an efficient access to private and public markets. For more info please visit: elite-network.com and follow us on LinkedIn using the hashtag #weareELITE