The UniCredit ELITE CEE Lounge supports fast-growing companies from Central and Eastern Europe

• ELITE facilitates business model upgrades and encourages corporates networking across UniCredit's CEE countries
• 2 companies from 2 CEE countries – Bulgaria and Serbia – have joined in the ninth cohort of the UniCredit CEE Lounge today; additional 4 SMEs joined ELITE thanks to the special cooperation between UniCredit Hungary and Budapest Stock Exchange

UniCredit CEE is pleased to announce 2 new companies joining the innovative the ELITE international ecosystem today. UniCredit CEE Lounge is part of ELITE, London Stock Exchange Group's international business support and capital raising platform and focuses on helping to accelerate the growth of promising companies.

The new joiners are companies from two Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries where UniCredit has active operations. To date, the UniCredit CEE Lounge has admitted 60 companies from 11 countries across UniCredit's CEE network.

The UniCredit CEE Lounge aims to help SMEs with their future growth, increasing their awareness of capital markets and of the available ways to attract funding. The programme also helps the companies to establish a direct dialogue with relevant investors. The companies that joined the previous cohort are currently in the process of their executive training.

 

This ninth cohort of the UniCredit CEE Lounge is comprised of the following companies:

• ASIGEST - I&G BROKERS, Bulgaria
• TERMOVENT, Serbia

 

Additionally, as a result of the special cooperation between UniCredit Hungary and Budapest Stock Exchange, four new companies joined this cohort:

• CORECOMME SI, Hungary
• SOMOGYI, Hungary
• VIA BERAUTO, Hungary
• GSV, Hungary

We are proud that our partnership with ELITE has proven to be very successful,” said Andrea Diamanti, Head of UniCredit Corporate and Investment Banking and Private Banking in CEE.

“This initiative underscores our strong belief in the potential of the most-ambitious mid-sized companies in CEE, and helps us to support them in upgrading their business models and boosting their growth. ELITE is also an innovative way for the companies to better understand their needs and strategies. It brings growing businesses together and gives them the opportunity to inspire each other, exchange ideas, share best practices and identify mutual business opportunities.”

Luca Peyrano, CEO, ELITE:" “We are delighted to witness increasing interest in ELITE from companies across the CEE region, validating and highlighting the importance of partnerships like the consolidated cooperation with UniCredit CEE and Budapest Stock Exchange. ELITE is delighted to support CEE’s region most ambitious SMEs, connecting them to capital and supporting them to compete on a global stage, as well as working to develop a connected funding ladder for such businesses.”

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Since its launch in 2012, ELITE has supported over 1100 international companies.  ELITE is a platform and ecosystem that helps private, ambitious companies grow, offering them access to education, business support and direct contact with the international financial and advisory community. Management teams are guided on how best to fast-track their development, how to access the most suitable funding for their needs, whether private equity, venture capital or the bond or equity markets, and given advice on building their profile and reach. ELITE is designed to meet the individual needs of each company selected for the UniCredit CEE Lounge, with UniCredit contributing to training modules and tutoring as well as providing access to its own tailored SME support services. Please read more at https://www.elite-growth.com/

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Additional media information:

Victoria Blajeva, tel +359 (0) 2 9264 993, wjlj/ebwjepwbAvojdsfejuhspvq/ch

Beatris Nikolova, tel +359 (0) 2 9232 528, cfbusjt/ojlpmpwbAvojdsfejuhspvq/ch

Ekaterina Ancheva, tel +359 894 518 193 , flbufsjob/bodifwbAvojdsfejuhspvq/ch