EIB partners with Euronext to help European aerospace and defence firms prepare for stock listings

European Investment Bank (EIB), a long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States, has partnered with Euronext to support small and mid-cap companies in Europe’s aerospace and defence sectors.

Through an advisory agreement, the EIB will assist Euronext in developing a programme aimed at helping scale-up companies in these industries engage with financial markets and gain access to European capital.

The goal is to help entrepreneurs understand financing options and the steps needed to prepare for stock-market listings, also known as initial public offerings (IPOs). The programme, called IPOready Defence, is scheduled to begin between 1 July and 30 September.

EIB Vice-President, Robert de Groot, says, “Our collaboration with Euronext is important in empowering European innovators. By combining our resources and expertise, we aim to support companies in the defence and aerospace sectors, helping them grow and maintain their strategic independence.”

“This initiative focuses on enhancing autonomy in security and defence, steering Europe towards a stronger growth model that ensures European companies born in Europe to stay in Europe.”

EIB expands defence investments

In March, the EIB broadened its criteria for investments in security and defence. This agreement, which includes the EIB’s advisory services, is part of the bank’s effort to increase support for security and defence in the European Union.

The EIB’s support for the Euronext programme also helps advance the EU Capital Markets Union by addressing a gap that impacts European companies’ operations. This initiative is included in the EIB Action Plan, which aims to help businesses grow, enter stock markets, and direct funds into business activities.

Euronext CEO, Stéphane Boujnah, says, “This partnership will enhance our IPO ready programme. The programme aims to give innovative and high-growth small and mid-sized companies that contribute to the European continent’s strategic autonomy increased visibility and access to capital markets.”

What does Euronext offer?

Euronext is a European capital market infrastructure that provides services related to listing, trading, clearing, settlement, and custody. It operates MTS, an electronic fixed income trading market, and Nord Pool, the European power market. 

Euronext also offers clearing and settlement services through Euronext Clearing and its Euronext Securities CSDs in multiple countries.

By March 2025, Euronext’s exchanges in Belgium, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, and Portugal are expected to host nearly 1,800 issuers with a combined market capitalisation of €6.3T. 

It is a key centre for debt and fund listings and handles 25 per cent of European lit equity trading. Euronext offers a variety of products, including equities, FX, ETFs, bonds, derivatives, commodities, and indices.

EIB: Bank of the European Union

The EIB, owned by EU Member States, is the long-term lending institution of the European Union. It finances investments in eight core areas that align with EU policy objectives, including climate action, digitalisation, security, and defence.

In 2024, the EIB Group, including the European Investment Fund (EIF), signed nearly €89B in new financing for over 900 projects. The EIB Group increased its focus on security and defence by expanding eligible projects and establishing a streamlined process, boosting investments to €1B, with plans to double this amount in 2025.

The Board of Directors approved additional measures in March to enhance European peace by financing large-scale strategic projects in areas such as land border protection, military mobility, critical infrastructure, and cybersecurity. These efforts aim to address key sectors like military transport, radar systems, drones, and the protection of critical raw materials.

In 2024, the Group supported over €100B in investments for Europe’s energy security and mobilised €110B in growth capital for startups, scale-ups, and European innovators. Around half of the EIB’s financing within the EU focuses on cohesion regions, where income levels are below the EU average.

The EIB also provides advisory services to assist public and private partners in developing and implementing investment-ready projects. In 2024, EIB advisory teams helped mobilise over €200B in investments across Europe and other regions.