Press release – Launch of the European Small and Mid-Cap Awards 2023
Brussels, Thursday 13th July 2023
The 11th edition of the European Small and Mid-Cap Awards will take place in Bilbao, Spain, as part of the European Commission’s annual SME Assembly (13th – 15th November 2023).
The Awards will showcase the resilience and innovation of Small and Mid-Cap Enterprises across the European Union, as well as recognise their contributions to the region’s economic growth.
Despite the challenging economic environment, many SMEs have shown remarkable resilience and adaptability. Nominated as some of the best small and mid-caps to have gone public between January 2021 and December 2022, it is these companies that have demonstrated their ability to adjust and thrive. By recognizing their achievements, the Awards aim to provide inspiration, foster innovation, and drive economic growth.
EuropeanIssuers, the Federation of European Securities Exchanges (FESE), and the European Commission are delighted to announce the nominations of the following companies, picked out for their outstanding achievements across the four Awards categories:
Nominations for the category Rising Star:
- Altea Green Power (AGP) listed on Euronext Italy
- BOA Concept listed on Euronext France
- LapWall listed on Nasdaq Finland
- LumenRadio listed on Nasdaq Sweden
- Pyrum listed on Deutsche Börse
- Scandinavian Medical Solutions listed on Nasdaq Denmark
- TTS listed on Bucharest Stock Exchange
- VAS listed on Vienna Stock Exchange
- Vytrus listed on BME, SIX Group
Nominations for the category Star of 2023:
- Aquila listed on Bucharest Stock Exchange
- NX Filtration listed on Euronext Netherlands
- Sngular listed on BME, SIX Group
- Waga Energy listed on Euronext France
Nominations for the category International Star:
- Axon Partners Group listed on BME, SIX Group
- Gevorkyan listed on Prague Stock Exchange
- Kempower listed on Nasdaq Finland
Nominations for the category Star of Innovation:
- Arteche listed on BME, SIX Group
- Cantourage listed on Deutsche Börse
- Green Hydrogen listed on Nasdaq Denmark
- HARDWARIO listed on Prague Stock Exchange
- SolidWorld Group listed on Euronext Italy
Nominations for Special Mention:
- Starteepo listed on Prague Stock Exchange
Rainer Riess, Director General of FESE, commented:
“As FESE, we are delighted to see the success of small and mid-cap businesses that have accessed financing opportunities via EU public markets. These companies are the backbone of Europe’s economy, and their growth and success are crucial for the region’s economic development. The SME Awards provide well-deserved recognition to these businesses, highlighting the benefits of listing on public exchanges. We congratulate the nominated companies on their achievements and encourage other SMEs to follow their lead in accessing public markets for growth opportunities.”
Florence Bindelle, Secretary General of EuropeanIssuers, added:
“EuropeanIssuers extends its sincere congratulations to these remarkable companies, applauding their exceptional contributions towards the EU’s goals of job creation, competitiveness, and sustainable growth. Their achievements highlight the diverse landscape of European markets and exemplify the value of stock listings for SMEs and growth companies. May their journey be marked by continued success and prosperity.”
Details on those companies that reach the shortlist will be publicised after the summer break, with the winners to be announced at the Awards ceremony in Bilbao in November.
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Notes to editors:
Please note that the nominated companies for each category are listed in alphabetical order.
About the European Small and Mid-Cap Awards
The objective of the Awards is to promote best practices and highlight the best European Small and Mid-Sized Companies that have gained access to capital markets via an Initial Public Offering (IPO). They showcase the diversity of European markets, and aim to promote stock listings, in particular targeting SMEs and growth companies. These companies are critical to accomplishing the EU’s goals of job creation, competitiveness, and growth.
The European Small and Mid-Cap Awards advocate the benefits of equity financing and encourage smaller companies to consider this financing option. Equity market financing plays a key role in the creation of jobs and growth and in the overall competitiveness of a company. https://europeansmallandmidcapawards.eu/
The Awards Jury
The shortlisted companies are chosen by an independent jury:
- Detlef Fechtner, EU Correspondent, Börsen-Zeitung
- Eglė Fredriksson, Portfolio Manager, East Capital
- Ekaterina Gianelli, Partner, Inventure
- Martin Hock, Finance Editor, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (F.A.Z.)
- Phaedon Tamvakakis, Vice Chairman, Alpha Trust Investment Services
About the European Commission
The Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW) of the European Commission develops and implements a range of policies to improve access to finance for SMEs in the EU. SMEs are critical to European economic recovery and to accomplishing the EU’s goals of job creation, competitiveness and growth. For more information, please visit https://ec.europa.eu/growth/access-to-finance_en.
About EuropeanIssuers
EuropeanIssuers is a pan-European organisation representing the interests of publicly quoted companies across Europe to the EU Institutions. We seek capital markets that serve the interests of their end users, including issuers. For more information, please visit www.europeanissuers.eu.
About FESE
The Federation of European Securities Exchanges (FESE) represents 35 exchanges in equities, bonds, derivatives and commodities through 16 full members and 1 affiliate member from 30 countries. For further information, please visit www.fese.eu.
For further information, please contact:
FESE:
Marián Caro
Communications Officer
caro@fese.eu
+32 2 551 01 87
EuropeanIssuers:
Véronique De Hertogh
Membership/Event/Office Manager
veronique.dehertogh@europeanissuers.eu
+32 2 216 92 47