On Tuesday, London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) announced that over 40 companies joined its support program for inspiring growth businesses, ELITE. Among the program’s new businesses was equity crowdfunding platform, Crowdcube.
The ELITE program offers businesses services to help them grow, this includes education, training and direct contact with the European financial and advisory community. The program’s description reads:
“Partnered with Imperial College Business School ELITE delivers a three part service of education, business support, mentoring and access to an ecosystem of professionals fostering growth and innovation.”
LSEG shared that Nikhil Rathi, CEO, London Stock Exchange Plc & Director of International Development welcomed the new ELITE UK company CEOs to open trading on London’s markets this morning alongside Eileen Burbidge, Chair of Tech City UK, Member of the Prime Minister’s Business Advisory Group, HM Treasury FinTech Envoy & Partner at Passion Capital. The companies come from across the UK and represent a diverse range of sectors including a crowdfunding platform, a gas and liquid sensor manufacturer and a hotel & pub group.
Explaining the importance of the program, Xavier Rolet, CEO of London Stock Exchange Group, stated:
“Ensuring the best, brightest and fastest growing businesses thrive is a priority for London Stock Exchange Group because we know that these firms hold the key to unlocking more innovation, more jobs and more opportunities for us all.
“Today’s new ELITE UK companies are a clear demonstration of the country’s ability to produce great businesses. This also marks a significant milestone for ELITE, which now has a community of over 300 companies. I look forward to welcoming many more inspiring businesses to this growing vibrant eco-system.”
Burbidge commented:
“Programmes such as ELITE that offer high quality advice and support enable the most dynamic businesses to scale and grow. Fast-growth companies are key drivers of economic development and job creation, and the UK has all the ingredients to help them succeed. Congratulations to all of the companies joining today.”
ELITE was first launched in Italy in April 2012 at Borsa Italiana. The program then debuted in the UK in April 2014.