All Bell ceremonies

Province of North-Brabant

Province of North-Brabant sounds gong for innovative start-ups

The opening of trading at the Amsterdam exchange is dedicated to innovation in Brabant. The ceremonial opening gong will be sounded by the province of Brabant and a number of start-ups from the province who have recently undergone the valorisation process and are now being financed by the Innovatiefonds Brabant (Brabant Innovation Fund).

Valorisation is the process that turns knowledge into commercially feasible products or services. Brabant offers start-ups support through the Starterslift, Ondernemerslift+ and Bright Move valorisation programmes.

Follow-up funding proves hard to find for start-ups who received financing for the valorisation phase. This early innovation phase is often too risky for banks and investors. The Provincial Government of Noord-Brabant has therefore reserved part of the innovation fund managed by the Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij [Brabant Development Agency] (BOM) for these (risky) early phase investments. This is in line with the provincial government’s aim to contribute to a closed funding chain for innovative entrepreneurs.

For more information: www.bom.nl

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Befimmo

Befimmo rings opening bell

On 10 November 2016, the CEO of Befimmo, Benoît De Blieck, opened the financial markets by ringing the Euronext bell. By doing so, he officialised the recent capital increase of 127 million euro of the company. The issue of new shares on Euronext has allowed Befimmo to ensure the financial resources necessary to its investment strategy on its main market, namely the luxury office buildings in Belgium and Luxembourg, while preserving a strong financial structure.

Watch Speech Benoît De Blieck, CEO of Befimmo 

Accenture Innovation Awards

Winner Accenture Innovation Awards sounds gong

Kwettr won the 2016  Accenture Innovation Audience Award for most innovative company of The Netherlands. Alongside a cheque of  €25.000, which Kwettr can invest in developing their services, they received an invitation to the International Websummit in Portugal.

Kwettr makes and rents out digital popup stores for companies where customers can pay with social media data. For example customers can download discount coupons in return for a tweet, follow, Like, or Snap. Target groups of Kwettr include restaurants, record labels, theme parcs, and all other companies that use social media in their marketing activities.

Every year Accenture organizes the Innovation Awards. With this competition, Accenture gives Dutch companies the attention and recognition they deserve. The Innovation Awards are split up in 11 categories and an Audience Award. Every category has a winner, picked by a jury. The winners receive a Blue or Green Tulip. The Public Prize winner was chosen by the audience. The Dutch audience was able to vote for their favorite contestant using Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Kwettr generated the most votes of the competition.

For more information: www.innovation-awards.nl

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Wolters Kluwer 180th anniversary

Wolters Kluwer celebrates 180-year anniversary by sounding gong

This year, Wolters Kluwer (ticker symbol: WKL) is celebrating its 180-year anniversary by visiting Beursplein 5. Frans Klaassen, Managing Director Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory Nederland and Andre Kwakernaat, Head of Tax & Accounting Europe Business Innovation, sound the gong at Euronext Amsterdam to celebrate Wolters Kluwers’ 180 years of rich heritage.

In 1836, Jan Berends Wolters founded a store and publisher of school books in Groningen. Now, 180 years later, Wolters Kluwer is a digital information services and solutions provider for professionals. The company serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries and employs 19,000 people worldwide.

For more information: www.wolterskluwer.com

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Nitrogen Fertiliser Solution UAN 30 Futures

Launch of Euronext's Nitrogen Fertiliser Solution UAN 30 Futures contract

Valérie Petitmangin, Commercial Director of Rubis Terminal rings the closing bell in Paris to celebrate the launch of Euronext's UAN 30 Fertiliser Futures .

Euronext rings the closing bell in Paris to announce the launch of its new UAN 30 Fertiliser Futures contract on 14 November. The new contract will provide users with a comprehensive suite of tools to manage price risk and cover their overall positions more efficiently, for both agricultural inputs and for grains and oilseeds such as wheat, rapeseed and corn. With Olivier Raevel, Head of Commodities Euronext, and Francois Terrasin, CEO Rubis Terminal

ING Nederland fonds

ING sounds gong with ING Nederland fonds

As a Dutch bank ING is closely linked to the Dutch society. To show its involvement in the Netherlands, the ING Nederland fonds was founded in 2015. The ING Nederland fonds aims to help and advance organizations and foundations that take the initiative to make the Netherlands stronger.

Netherlands has numerous active associations and foundations, with valuable local initiatives for people and society. ING is happy with all the activities that benefit society. With the campaign "Help Nederland vooruit” (Help The Netherlands go forward) of the ING Nederland fonds they offer these initiatives a helping hand. For the launch of their new campaign they visit Beursplein 5 and open trade by sounding the gong.

Help Nederland vooruit is an initiative of the ING Nederland fonds. The fund's mission is to support individuals and organizations that take initiative to make The Netherlands stronger.

For more information: www.ing.nl

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King’s Commissioner of Flevoland

King’s Commissioner of Flevoland opens trading day in honor of province’s entrepreneurship

The King’s Commissioner of the province of Flevoland opens the Euronext Amsterdam trading day. This ceremony is in honor of entrepreneurship in the province of Flevoland and the commissioner will be accompanied by a number of promising entrepreneurs of the province. 

Flevoland has many small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Among them there are a large number of self-employed individuals. The province aims to create a favorable business environment for them without unnecessary regulation. In addition, Flevoland is strong and distinctive in a number of key sectors such as Agriculture & Food, High Tech Systems and Materials and Life Sciences and Health.

Furthermore, the province has a new economic program for the period 2016-2020. Stimulating the regional economy is one of the key tasks of the province. Flevoland is committed to economic growth by supporting entrepreneurship through SME growth in Flevoland, but also through the development of the key sectors.

For more information: www.flevoland.nl

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Introduction to Options

VEB visits Beursplein 5

The VEB (Vereniging van  Effecten Bezitters) organizes Option courses in partnership with Euronext. Nick Schakel, Manager Operations VEB, sounds the gong on this occasion.

On 8 and 15 November, the option courses ‘’Introduction to Options’’ take place. What are options, and what can you do with them as (equity) investors? This course is for anyone who has little to no knowledge of options and those who are familiar with the basics of this versatile instrument. After attending the two introductory courses and gaining practical experience, you have a good foundation for the course ‘’Options for advanced’’, which VEB will offer at a later stage, also in cooperation with Euronext.

Since 1924 the VEB represents the interest of private investors. The VEB is the source for independent investment information and now has approximately 45,000 members, including both private and institutional investors.

For more information: www.veb.net

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AH Product Pitch 2016

Winner AH Product Pitch 2016 sounds gong

The Amsterdam exchange is opened by the winners of the ‘AH Product Pitch 2016’ in the company of jury member Marit van Egmond, director Merchandising & Sourcing.

Kaas in ’t Bakkie, from entrepreneurs Bob van Oosterhout and Paul and Wouter Rodenberg, won the competition and get one year shelf space at Albert Heijn, coaching to achieve growth and an investment package worth €100,000. Young entrepreneurs with an innovative product and their own company were able to enter the competition. With this competition, Albert Heijn wants to encourage young entrepreneurs and provide their customers with innovative products. The nominees were invited to pitch their ideas to a jury on 1 November 2016.

The Product Pitch is an initiative of Albert Heijn to encourage youth entrepreneurship and to be continuously innovative in their product range. Albert Heijn is part of Euronext listed Ahold Delhaize  (ticker symbol: AD).

For more information: www.ah.nl

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Pensioen3daagse

Sounding of the gong for Pensioen3daagse

This year, the sixth edition of the Pensioen3daagse (3 day pension fair), initiated by platform Money Wise (Wijzer in geldzaken) takes place. Participants of the Pensioen3daagse visit the Amsterdam exchange and sound the gong.

The purpose of this three-day fair is to promote financial resilience at a later age. Money Wise developed a tool in this context ‘’What should I do for my retirement?’’ that enables people to make an assessment of their situation later in life. The Pensioen3daagse includes pension consultations and awareness in the workplace. Insurers, banks and financial advisers also open their branches to people with retirement questions.

Participants in the Pensioen3daagse include Authority for the Financial Markets Association of Insurers, Pension Federation, Pension Register Foundation, Ministry of Finance, Adfiz, FFP, Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment, the Dutch Central Bank, Nibud, several banks, pension funds and insurers, unions, educational institutions, pension advisors and many other employers.

For more information: www.wijzeringeldzaken.nl

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Deloitte Technology Fast 50

Winner Deloitte Technology Fast 50 opens trading

Catawiki, an online auction house for buying and selling special objects, recently won the Deloitte Technology Fast50. They visit the Amsterdam exchange and open trading by sounding the gong.

Catawiki has won the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 for the second year in a row. The company, based in Assen, takes first place in the ranking of the 50 fastest growing tech companies of the Netherlands. The company has shown a growth percentage of 3676% over the last 4 years.

Deloitte organizes the Technology Fast 50 competition in collaboration with partners ABN AMRO, Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland, Euronext, Kennedy Van der Laan, KPN and Vitruvian. The competition was initiated to recognize the exceptional performance of these companies. The Fast 50 companies have the best entrepreneurs of the future, who think fast and play a leading role in their field. The Rising Star is a special price that is presented to emerging innovative companies that are less than five years old. This year, it was awarded to Helloprint.

For more information: www.fast50.nl

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165 years BK Cookware

BK Cookware celebrates 165 years by sounding gong

BK, part of the Euronext Amsterdam listed Royal Delft (ticker symbol: PORF), celebrates its 165th anniversary. In an internationally very competitive market the company has managed to set the trends regarding cooking and dining for more than a century and a half.

According to the government, innovation is the engine of the competitiveness of the Dutch economy. The future of Dutch enterprises is mainly seen in the design and development of new products. These are exactly the elements of the manufacturing process on which BK has been focused since its establishment in 1851. BK develops and designs pans, kitchenware and cutlery which fit in with the trends in society.

BK's strong position in the highly competitive market for cooking and dining is also the result of its concentration on the demands of individual consumers. The company develops applications which fit in with the cooking style of people as well as their lifestyle. For this BK carries out intensive research into the wishes of consumers and in trends. BK is celebrating its jubilee with a substantial television advertising campaign, supported by bus stop advertising, advertising via the website and via social media. Furthermore, consumers receive a dinner discount card, when buying a BK product.

For more information: www.bk.nl

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King’s Commissioner of Gelderland

The King’s Commissioner of the Province of Gelderland sounds gong

Clemens Cornielje, the King’s Commissioner of the Province of Gelderland, marks the start of the fourth industrial revolution by sounding the gong at Euronext Amsterdam. He is accompanied by top players of the Gelderland industry, including Euronext listed Nedap, NXP and Remeha.

Clemens Cornielje: “We are on the eve of an industrial renaissance. After the steam engine, the computer and the internet, the digitization is now driving a new industrial revolution. Increasing numbers of businesses are moving their production back from Asia. This creates opportunities for our (manufacturing) industry but we will have to upgrade our production processes to make them smarter and cleaner.”

Gelderland is the fourth industrial region of the Netherlands. More than 200,000 people are employed in the region’s industry and related sectors. The 7,500 industrial businesses generate 15% of the regional income and 10% of employment. By investing in sustainable innovation, entrepreneurs, education institutes and the authorities jointly focus on achieving the third position for the Gelderland industry.

For more information: www.gelderland.nl

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AtomX

Euronext sounds gong for AtomX initiative

Euronext sounds the gong for their AtomX initiative. AtomX is a service that combines the flexibility of over-the counter trade (OTC) together with the efficiency and safety of the regulated markets and central clearing.

By enriching services for off-orderbook, on-exchange trading, Euronext can meet demand from clients currently trading OTC to clear centrally, while maintaining the bespoke contract features that allow them to meet their trading objectives more accurately than standard orderbook trading. 

Trades reported via AtomX are cleared by LCH alongside other Euronext derivatives business, providing efficiency for market participants who trade a mix of bespoke and standard contracts. 

For more information: https://www.euronext.com/en

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TechShare

TechShare comes back for its second edition!

Yesterday, we had the pleasure to welcome a group of ambitious and fast-growing Belgian companies for the first evening session of TechShare, Euronext’s pan-European programme for promising and unlisted tech companies. By launching this programme one year ago, we had one goal in mind : give business leaders in the tech community a better understanding of what financial markets do and how they work. With this knowledge, entrepreneurs can consider their growth strategies, decide whether the time is right to list, and prepare in good time.

For this new edition, we are very proud to have 10 successful candidates on board, namely Awingu, iTeos, Ometa, Opinum, Ovizio, Sentiance, Synergia Medical, Unified Post and two companies that preferred not to disclose their participation. We are also very lucky to benefit from the support and knowledge of a group of well-known partners, all selected for their sector-specific expertise.

To kick off this first evening session, we invited participants and partners for a closing bell ceremony at Euronext, which was the perfect opportunity to allow entrepreneurs and market professionals to learn to know each other. After the bell, we went to the BNP Paribas Fortis Chancellery for the first coaching session organised by Baker & McKenzie and BNP Paribas Fortis. Topic of the evening: Understand the interest of financial markets, the different types of tools offered and the companies for which it is suitable.

It was a fruitful and interactive session and we are definitely looking forward to the next ones.

Dutch Payment & Exchange Company

Dutch Payment & Exchange Company opens trading

The Dutch Payment & Exchange Company opens the trading day at the Amsterdam exchange. Rolf van Woerkom, Head of Marketing & Sales, sounds the gong accompanied by his colleagues. 

Thousands of transactions in foreign currencies are being executed by Dutch entrepreneurs on a daily basis. Banks charge high fees in order to process these transactions, which could accumulate into high costs. The Dutch Payment & Exchange Company (NBWM) is a newcomer to this industry. They charge 5 EUR for international payments in foreign currencies, which makes them approximately 90 percent cheaper than some of their peers.

“The high level of digitalization into this current world also translates into a connection between all national payment systems”, says Pieter-Jan Datema, CEO and founder of NBWM. “A client can add all the data himself in order to execute a payment, without interference of a bank.”

For more information: www.nbwm.nl

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ABN AMRO redesigned investing website

ABN AMRO sounds gong for redesigned investing website

By sounding the gong Job Mantz, Senior Digital Product Manager ABN AMRO, opens trading day at the Amsterdam exchange. With the opening he and his colleagues celebrate the improved opportunities for investing via the ABN AMRO website.  

For the last six months, a team consisting of online marketeers, copywriters and product managers worked hard on these improvements as they mainly focused on the user experience of customers. The overall customer journey was tested and reviewed extensively in customer panels. This modern way of involving customers in the development of new possibilities and working with multi-disciplinary teams enabled them to quickly improve on the feedback of customers.

ABN AMRO (ticker symbol: ABN) serves retail, private and corporate banking clients with a primary focus on the Netherlands and with selective operations internationally. In the Netherlands, clients are offered a comprehensive and full range of products and services through omni-channel distribution including advanced mobile application and internet banking.

For more information: www.abnamro.nl/beleggen

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DAM Award 2016

Finalists DAM Award 2016 visit Amsterdam exchange

The finalists of the DAM Award 2016 sound the gong and visit the Amsterdam exchange. The DAM Award is a business award that helps make sustainable entrepreneurs visible in Amsterdam.

By organizing the DAM Award, Amsterdam wants to make sustainability visible and reward it. They are an example to the city and show you how to work with each other to include renewable energy, clean air and a circular economy.

In each district one entrepreneur is nominated: Cartridge Depot (North), Intersafe (West), Moyee Coffee (New West), New Electric (East), Paul de Ruiter Architects (South) and Yoni (Centre). The audiences’ votes count for 40 percent. Inhabitants of Amsterdam have until 30 October to vote for one of the six finalists.

For more information: www.amsterdam.nl/damprijs

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