11 new fast-growing UK companies have joined the London Stock Exchange Elite group, which aims to give firms support when scaling-up their business.

The platform now features 130 businesses from across the UK, firms ranging from healthcare, engineering and technology. Companies are selected based on their ability to scale up their business.

New firms look to solve problems

Freschfield create polycarbonate ‘skins’ that can be fitted onto buildings to make them greener by converting solar energy into electricity, while Connexin delivers high-speed wireless broadband to cities.

A report by Cable.co.uk found that the UK currently has an average broadband speed slower than most of Europe.

Furqan Alamgir, Connexin CEO, said, ‘We’re incredibly proud to have been selected.

‘It shows that firms based in the North can access the big league financial apparatus of the South. We intend to make the most of it.’

What is Elite?

Elite run a private placement platform which allows signed-up companies to connect with investors, pension funds, VC firms and private equity houses to secure financing.

The platform helps businesses grow through education, business support and contact with Europe’s financial and advisory community. LSE says that the 800 companies on Elite have combined revenues of £50 billion and employ 300,000 people across Europe and internationally.

Alok Sharma, MP Minister of State for Employment said, ‘Backing small businesses are key to driving productivity, economic growth and well paid high-quality jobs across the country.’

How has Elite helped Mumsnet?

Last year, networking platform Mumsnet joined Elite. Justine Roberts, founder and CEO of Mumsnet told GrowthBusiness that since joining the programme in April 2017, Mumsnet had invested more in training and focussed more on recruiting and managing staff, and had grown its ranks by 13 per cent. Roberts commented, ‘One fantastic thing about the programme is that it takes you out of your day to day and affords you the headspace and environment to think strategically about your business… I have come away from each Elite session with at least two of three important actions that I can really implement in our business.’

The inclusion of Freschfield on the Elite list comes with the news that the London Stock Exchange has increased its number of green bonds in 2017 by 57 per cent in one year, from 14 to 22, respectively.

The new businesses to join ELITE are as follows:

Arlington Industries

BioCity

Connexin

DigitalGenius

Freschfield

Kortext

LMX

pi-top

Redu

Pooch and Mutt

SafeToNet

Further reading on London Stock Exchange

What being part of the London Stock Exchange’s ELITE programme is like