Euronext launches IPOready 2026: Europe’s largest pre-IPO programme expands with a dedicated aerospace and defence track

• Over 160 participating companies originating from 22 countries, making this year’s cohort the largest ever

• Dedicated aerospace and defence track introduced, IPOready Defence, reflecting Euronext’s commitment to supporting European strategic autonomy

• New global partner: the European Investment Bank (EIB) joins IPOready alongside INSEAD, the academic partner, and more than 80 partners and sponsors

Amsterdam, Athens, Brussels, Dublin, Lisbon, Milan, Oslo and Paris – 27 January 2026 – Euronext, the leading European market infrastructure, today announces the launch of the 2026 edition of its pre-IPO programme IPOready. Building on its unparalleled track record, IPOready is the largest and most comprehensive pre-IPO programme in Europe, now entering its eleventh year. 

Mathieu Caron, Head of Primary Markets at Euronext, said: “The 2026 IPOready cohort sets a new benchmark as over 160 companies join the programme. This year’s cohort stands out for both its scale and quality, with a notably strong representation from strategic sectors, including over 20% from aerospace and defence. IPOready continues to equip Europe’s most ambitious companies with the capabilities and network required for IPO success, reaffirming our commitment to supporting Europe’s innovative and strategically important industries. “

The 2026 cohort is composed of more than 160 companies originating from 22 countries, with a total combined annual revenue of €29 billion and representing 140,000 employees. This year’s cohort reflects the programme’s appeal to high-growth start-ups, scale-ups and unicorns, and confirms Euronext’s position as the listing venue of choice in Europe for international fast-growing and ambitious companies.  

Tech companies continue to be strongly represented in the IPOready cohort, with 69% of participating companies coming from technology-related industries (TMT 43%, Healthtech 17%, Cleantech 9%). This trend reflects Euronext’s position as Europe’s leading exchange for Tech listings, with over 700 technology companies listed and 36% of new listings in 2025 coming from the sector.

Since its inception, IPOready has supported over 1,200 alumni, resulting in 39 successful listings on Euronext markets. These companies have raised more than €1.8 billion at listing, achieving a combined market capitalisation of nearly €7 billion. In 2025 alone, seven IPOready alumni listed on Euronext markets.

IPOready Defence, a new dedicated track for aerospace and defence companies 

IPOready offers a tailored six-month training programme providing participants with a comprehensive roadmap to IPO readiness, with expert-led workshops covering the IPO process, equity story, financial communication, legal considerations, corporate governance and post-listing obligations. Companies also benefit from extensive individual coaching sessions with audit firms, lawyers, communication specialists and investor relations specialists providing customised advice. 

Building on Euronext’s set of new ESG focused initiatives designed to strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy and technological sovereignty, IPOready 2026 introduces a dedicated track for the more than 30 aerospace and defence companies participating in this year’s programme. The track will feature an aerospace and defence IPO case study, sectorial workshops and networking opportunities with IPOready peers and Euronext-listed aerospace and defence companies. 

IPOready also welcomes the European Investment Bank (EIB) as a global partner, aligned with Euronext in supporting companies to access capital and scale their growth. The EIB joins INSEAD, Euronext’s renowned academic partner and global leader in executive education, and a network of 80+ local partners and sponsors.

The leading equity listing venue in Europe

In 2025, Euronext confirmed its position as the leading European primary markets venue with over 1,900 issuers representing €6.8 trillion in aggregated market capitalisation on its single stock market covering eight European countries (including Greece, following the successful acquisition of a majority stake in the Athens Stock Exchange in November 2025). Euronext is the venue of choice for ambitious global champions on its markets, having welcomed 42% of international equity listings[1] across Europe in 2025. 

[1] International listings refer to listings from companies with operational headquarters located in a country where a given exchange does not operate a listing venue.

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