The 11th edition of IPOready, Euronext’s flagship European pre-IPO programme, concluded in Lisbon on 19 June with a two-day Closing Campus that brought together more than 160 companies from 22 countries, alongside investors, advisors, entrepreneurs and policymakers from across Europe.
This year's edition marked an important milestone for the programme with the introduction of a dedicated Aerospace & Defence track, developed in partnership with the European Investment Bank (EIB). The new initiative reflects growing demand for financing solutions and capital markets expertise among companies operating in strategic sectors that are increasingly important to Europe's long-term competitiveness and economic resilience.
Since its launch in 2015, IPOready has supported more than 1,300 participants, helping ambitious private companies better understand capital markets, strengthen governance and prepare for future growth opportunities, including a potential listing on Euronext markets.
Supporting Europe's next generation of growth companies
The IPOready 2026 Closing Campus opened with a keynote address from Jean-Christophe Laloux, Director General at the European Investment Bank, who shared insights on the role of European capital markets in supporting SMEs and scale-ups and highlighted current initiatives aimed at strengthening investment and financing opportunities across Europe.
Throughout the two-day event, participants heard from entrepreneurs, investors and capital markets experts on the opportunities and challenges facing companies as they scale. Stéphane Rougeot, founder of Sust.ance and former executive at several listed companies, reflected on his entrepreneurial journey and shared lessons on resilience, innovation and leadership.
Discussions also explored the evolving policy and regulatory landscape shaping European capital markets, with Fiona Wright, Partner at Flint Global, and Jakub Michalik, Chief Policy Officer at Euronext, providing perspectives on developments that future public companies should be monitoring closely.
Learning from companies that have already made the journey
A central and recurring theme of this year’s Closing Campus, as in previous editions, was learning from companies that have successfully navigated the transition from private to public markets.
Participants gained first-hand insights from Exosens CEO Jérôme Cerisier and CFO Quynh-Boi Demey, who shared lessons from the company's IPO journey, highlighting the importance of preparation, teamwork and adaptability throughout the process.
The programme also featured dedicated sessions examining strategic financing options for growth companies, including a workshop led by Lazard and Euronext exploring how businesses can evaluate IPO and M&A opportunities as part of their development strategy.
On the second day, Olivier Novasque, Founder and CEO of Sidetrade, reflected on his own experience as a listed company executive, offering practical perspectives on life after an IPO and the long-term value of public markets.
A successful first year for the Aerospace & Defence track
One of the defining features of IPOready 2026 was the introduction of the Aerospace & Defence track, delivered with the support of the European Investment Bank. More than 30 companies participated in the dedicated stream, representing approximately 20% of the overall cohort.
In Lisbon, the track provided tailored content addressing the financing and growth challenges specific to aerospace and defence businesses, including a dedicated workshop led by Claudia Introvigne, Investor Relations and Market Analysis Director at Leonardo.
The strong participation underlines growing interest from companies operating in strategic sectors and demonstrates the important role capital markets can play in supporting innovation, industrial development and long-term European competitiveness.
Building Europe's capital markets community
Beyond educational content, the IPOready 2026 Closing Campus provided opportunities for participants to connect with peers, investors and advisors from across Europe. More than 80 expert partners and sponsors contributed to the programme throughout the year, while INSEAD continued its role as Academic Partner, providing participants with world-class educational content and certification.
As IPOready 2026 comes to a close, the programme continues to strengthen its position as Europe's leading pre-IPO educational initiative, helping entrepreneurs build the knowledge, networks and confidence needed to access capital markets and accelerate growth.
Pre-applications for IPOready 2027 are now open, and we will be delighted to welcome our first-ever Greek cohort to the programme with IPOready Athens. This marks an exciting milestone for IPOready as we continue to expand our reach across Europe and support ambitious companies on their capital markets journey.
Learn more about the programme and how to apply for IPOready 2027 on our IPOready page.