ELITE surpasses 100 company milestone in the UK

But the importance of growing mid–sized companies is​ ​often overlooked and it is these firms that are the real key to unlocking the UK’s economic future,​ ​creating employment and value as they scale up.

Launched in 2012 to back fast growing ambitious private companies, our unique business support​ ​and capital raising programme, ELITE, helps companies better prepare and structure for external​ ​investment to boost the next stage of their development.

Today, there are more than 750 companies, advisors and investors in the growing international ELITE​ ​community, with over 100 companies from across the UK including four from Yorkshire.

At the end of April, ELITE welcomed 17 new companies from across the UK, including names such as​ ​the UK’s largest network for parents, Mumsnet; online investment management service provider,​ ​Nutmeg; and Lancashire-based industrial services firm, Pavement Testing Solutions. Collectively, the​ ​UK’s ELITE companies have aggregated revenues in excess of £1.6​bn and directly employ over​ ​12,500 people.

Through the programme, these businesses will receive practical knowledge on the different sources​ ​of finance, be that venture capital, private or public equity, to help them scale-up. But importantly​ ​ELITE is funding agnostic, encouraging companies to access the most appropriate financing for their​ ​needs.

A success story for one of our ELITE companies in the UK was the merger between crowdfunded​ ​British wine retailer and ELITE business, Naked Wines with AIM quoted, Majestic Wines. Apart from​ ​being a tremendous accomplishment for the company, the deal also reinforces ELITE’s ability to​ ​prepare firms for the next stage of development, regardless of whether this is via the public markets​ ​or not.

In addition to gaining a better understanding on different financing options, ELITE gives companies​ ​the opportunity to share their challenges and learn from peers, in all sorts of areas such as reaching​ ​new markets, managing talent, developing their strategy and equity story.

Leeds-based software testing company, Meet Ten10 (formerly The Test People), joined ELITE in 2014​ ​and has since developed its own academy for graduates and trainees. Constant dialogue with the​ ​ELITE community helped the company define its talent management strategy.

ELITE is also continuing to innovate by expanding on our suite of support services for ELITE​ ​companies. Our online private placement platform for ELITE companies and professional investors,​ ​ELITE Club Deal, went live earlier this year.

Through the platform, ELITE companies from Yorkshire​ ​and beyond can now connect with professional investors, such as big pension funds, venture capital​ ​firms and private equity houses, to secure financing in a secure and efficient environment.

In the three years ELITE has been operating in the UK, what is evident is that the country is home to​ ​so many innovative, diverse and growing businesses across numerous sectors.

These companies are​ ​the fast growing ambitious businesses that are scaling-up and making a significant contribution to​ ​economic and job growth across the country.

To find out more about ELITE and how it could help your business, visit www.elite-growth.com