London Stock Exchange : ELITE and Sage join forces to support UK high-growth companies

• ELITE and Sage partner to launch programme to support the UK's Small & Medium Businesses
• First cohort of Sage companies expected to join before end of 2018
• More than 130 UK businesses are part of the ELITE ecosystem of 890 international companies

ELITE, London Stock Exchange Group's business support and capital raising programme, today announces it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sage, the market leader in cloud business management solutions. The organisations will work together to launch ELITE Sage, a programme for Sage's current and future customers in the UK.

The ELITE Sage programme will help businesses to address common challenges when scaling up. Each company involved will attend a series of modules that will tackle topics such as: governance, growth strategy, access to funding and innovation. Companies will also benefit from access to ELITE's broad network of investors and advisers from all sectors. Through the ELITE Sage programme, companies can scale up, structure for growth and invest to create new jobs, all while being more competitive in the global marketplace. Businesses nominated by Sage to take part are expected to join ELITE before the end of 2018.

To launch the partnership, a joint roadshow is being hosted across the UK in June and July. Local companies will have the opportunity to meet entrepreneurs, businesses and other key stakeholders that are already part of the ELITE community, and learn more about what the ELITE Sage programme will entail.

ELITE Sage roadshow dates:

• London, 18 June 2018
• Edinburgh, 21 June 2018
• Birmingham, 26 June 2018
• Newcastle, 4 July 2018
• Manchester, 5 July 2018

Luca Peyrano, CEO, ELITE:
'We are excited to announce a partnership between ELITE and Sage, two organisations that are committed to supporting the ambitions of entrepreneurs and SMEs from across the world. High growth dynamic businesses are key to innovation, job creation and economic development.

'With over 130 UK companies already part of ELITE, ELITE is uniquely placed to partner with Sage to support more of the UK's dynamic businesses to thrive and enhance the country's vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem.'

Stephen Kelly, CEO, Sage:
'As the champion of Britain's business builders, the heroes of the economy, Sage has a responsibility to support their growth, to inspire them and give them the tools they need to succeed.

'We're proud to partner with LSEG's ELITE, providing businesses with an ecosystem of entrepreneurial support to accelerate their growth.'

About ELITE

Designed to help businesses prepare and structure for their next stage of growth, ELITE facilitates company access to a full range of funding options; increases company profile and visibility; promotes relationships and opportunities with potential investors; and supports management best practice and entrepreneurship.

The global ELITE community today includes close to 900 companies from across 36 countries. ELITE Sage companies will have the opportunity to become part of a dynamic ecosystem of business leaders, entrepreneurs, academics, advisers, investors and stakeholders.

For further information:
Christopher Loscher / Alex Ritterman
+44 (0)20 7797 1222
newsroom@lseg.com