Amsterdam, Athens, Brussels, Dublin, Lisbon, Milan, Oslo and Paris – 24 November 2025 – Euronext today announced the launch of the European Aerospace and Defence Growth Hub, bringing together 15 companies from France, Hungary, Italy and the Netherlands. Powered by ELITE, Euronext’s ecosystem for private companies, this initiative is designed to strengthen the supply chain of aerospace and defence companies. Participating companies will benefit from a comprehensive program that includes executive training, strategic cross-border collaboration, secure access to suitable financing instruments and enhanced European visibility.

Stéphane Boujnah, CEO and Chairman of the Managing Board of Euronext, said: "The European aerospace and defence sector includes a large number of SMEs and private companies, many of which operate internationally and supply major industry players. These companies face urgent needs to invest in their innovation and production capacities. The European Aerospace and Defence Growth Hub has been designed to effectively connect these financing needs with investment capabilities. It leverages ELITE’s experience with private companies and Euronext’s European scale. This new programme is part of a broader set of initiatives launched this year by Euronext to strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy.”

Since May 2025, Euronext launched a series of initiatives to enhance Europe’s strategic autonomy
The European Aerospace and Defence Growth Hub forms part of a broader set of initiatives launched by Euronext to strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy, following an initial announcement on 6 May 2025.

Euronext has developed a series  of thematic indices covering European companies that contribute to Europe’s strategic autonomy. These flagship indices and their closely related derivations serve as reference indices for investment products in partnership with banks and investment management companies, helping channel capital to support the companies most critical to Europe’s strategic autonomy.

On 7 and 8 July 2025, Euronext hosted  the first European and defence funding days, bringing together 25 companies seeking financing with more than 90 investors and financing experts from across Europe.

Euronext has also introduced the European Defence Bond Label, a voluntary, market-driven initiative for listed bonds aimed at directing private capital towards eligible Defence and Security projects in Europe.

In January 2026, Euronext will launch the first edition of IPOready Defence, part of Euronext’s broader IPOready programme. Participating companies will gain the tools, insights, and network needed to understand capital markets, gain an exhaustive view of their financing options, and prepare for a potential IPO. IPOready Defence will notably benefit from additional support provided by defence industry associations, financial institutions and supranational bodies, including the European Investment Bank through the InvestEU Advisory Hub EU framework.

The European Aerospace and Defence Growth Hub will address specific challenges faced by the aerospace and defence supply chain
Within the Aerospace and Defence Growth Hub, entrepreneurs and executives from key suppliers across the European aerospace and defence value chain will explore financing options, strengthen managerial capabilities to scale, engage in peer-to-peer learning and collaboration, and work closely with national and regional institutions to facilitate access to capital. Each participating company will benefit from structured support and business coaching to enhance its readiness for growth.
 
At today’s launch event in Paris, Euronext welcomed speakers from Fincantieri, Leonardo and MBDA as supply chain leaders, as well as the European Space Agency, Bpifrance, Cassa Depositi e Prestiti and the European Investment Bank as European stakeholders supporting the initiative. Euronext also welcomed ManpowerGroup and Accenture as partners focusing on people and technology, both of which are key areas for the transformation of the sector. Following the launch, the programme will continue with a series of events across Europe, including in Amsterdam, Brussels and Milan. Each moment will be a unique opportunity to welcome new suppliers from the aerospace and defence value chain and to and to address the most relevant topics shaping the industry’s future.

 

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