London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) today announces that ELITE, its international programme for ambitious high growth businesses has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bank Hapoalim Ltd. (TLV: POLI) Israel’s leading financial services group. ELITE and Bank Hapoalim will collaborate to support the development of Israeli high growth businesses and promote ELITE in Israel.
The MoU is announced as LSEG hosts its first Capital Markets conference in Israel, bringing together UK and Israeli senior politicians, business bodies, the advisory and investment community, along with the CEOs of some of the fastest growing Israeli companies. The event highlights LSEG’s capacity to support high growth Israeli companies.
ELITE facilitates company access to a full range of funding options; increases company profile; promotes relationships and opportunities with potential investors, and supports management best practice and entrepreneurship.
Three Israeli companies are already part of ELITE’s vibrant community of more than 400 companies from across 23 countries. These are social trading platform, eToro, peer-to-peer lender, Blender and the world’s first cloud-based video creation and production company, Showbox.
London has an active and fast growing community of Israeli companies on its markets. 29 Israeli businesses are listed on London Stock Exchange across the Main Market and AIM, with a combined market capitalisation of $10.2 billion. This includes well known names such as spread-betting company, Plus 500, gaming software supplier, Playtech, mobile advertising company, Taptica and tech firm, Telit Communications.
Reinforcing the importance of the Israeli market to LSEG, the Group also announces it has hired Justine Zwerling as Head of Israel for Equity and Debt Primary Markets. Justine brings more than 20 years of senior level experience working across the EMEA region, helping businesses grow and succeed in new geographical markets.
Nikhil Rathi, CEO, London Stock Exchange plc & Director of International Development, London Stock Exchange Group:
“Israel is the start-up nation of the world, a powerful hub for entrepreneurial ambition, innovative investment activity and wealth creation. Today we are excited to announce the partnership between ELITE and Bank Hapoalim and host some of Israel’s fastest growing businesses and sophisticated investors at LSEG’s Capital Markets conference, strengthening the long history of business and friendship ties between our two countries.
“London Stock Exchange has always been a market open to the world, home to the deepest pool of international investor capital. We have seen listings in excess of $10 billion from Israeli companies in London, underlining the exceptional investor interest in building exposure to the country’s dynamic economy through equity, debt and exchange traded fund products. And through ELITE, we believe we can play a significant role in supporting Israel’s best, brightest and fastest growing private businesses, driving their individual growth and the economic ties between Israel and the global financial markets.”
Avi Kochba, Head of Innovation, Bank Hapoalim:
“Bank Hapoalim is excited to partner with London Stock Exchange Group’s ELITE programme today to support innovation and entrepreneurship across Israel. Through our recently launched innovation division, we are looking for strategic partners who share our vision for the future of Israel and understand the importance in supporting Israel’s fastest growing companies. Working with ELITE will allow us to do just this, for the benefit of the Israeli economy and the promotion of innovation within Bank Hapoalim.”