Bird & Bird becomes an ELITE partner

ELITE is an international business support and capital raising programme designed to help the most ambitious and innovative companies to prepare for their next stage of growth. Since launching in 2012, ELITE has grown into a unique ecosystem of 890 companies from 34 sectors, generating €66bn in revenues and employing  313,000 ( three hundred and thirteen thousand ) people. 

As an ELITE partner, Bird & Bird will give seminars, mentor companies and host events in conjunction with the global ELITE teams. 

It is also timely, with ELITE's launch in China through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Shenzhen Securities Information Company, a subsidiary of the Shenzen Stock Exchange, and follows Bird & Bird's co-operation agreement with AllBright, one of China's top five domestic law firms. 

Clive Hopewell, Head of London Capital Market at Bird & Bird says: "Funding options are becoming increasingly international with more companies looking to foreign investors and markets for finance.  Supporting the growth of visionary, innovative and fast growing companies is at the core of Bird & Bird's offering so collaborating was a very 'natural fit'. The firm is well placed to support ELITE and its participants, not only with our strong Capital Markets practices in London and Milan  but also by providing ELITE companies access to Bird & Bird's international network. We are looking forward to getting as many of our 28 international offices involved as possible." 

Federico Valle, partner and capital markets expert at Bird & Bird comments:  "Recent analysis carried out on ELITE’s impact on companies in the programme reveals: + 10% average turnover growth, + 9% average margin growth (EBITDA) and + 56% average growth in the number of employees. ELITE is an extremely well regarded programme and given Bird & Bird's international footprint, we are excited to support ELITE in its plan to roll out its successful formula internationally. It's a partnership that will provide a number opportunities and one which cements our footing as a top tier international firm for high growth SMEs looking to access capital."

Luca Peyrano, CEO, ELITE: 

“We are delighted to welcome Bird & Bird to ELITE’s community of over 120 partners, including banks and law and accountancy firms from across the world. Bird & Bird’s participation will further enhance ELITE’s offering for the fast growing and dynamic companies in the ELITE community. Today, ELITE is proud to support access to finance and financial education for over 850 of the most ambitious companies around the world, allowing them to innovate, scale and grow. We look forward to continuing to expand ELITE’s dynamic community of companies, advisers and partners.”