How to apply

Eligibility Criteria for the European Small and Mid-Cap Awards

Who can participate?

Listed Companies must meet the following criteria:

Market Capitalisation: A maximum of €1 billion at the time of their Initial Public Offering (IPO).
Listing Date: Publicly listed on a Regulated Market or Multilateral Trading Facility (MTF) operated by one of the participating exchanges between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2024.
Liquidity Requirements (based on the average daily trading value during the evaluation period: 1 January 2023 – 31 December 2024):
- Small-Cap Companies: At least 0.5% of their free float market capitalisation.
- Mid-Cap Companies: At least 0.2% of their free float market capitalisation.

These figures must be supported by verifiable exchange data from a recognised source within the EU-27 Member States or participating stock exchanges.

Dual Listing is permitted if it involved capital raising (fundraising).
Nomination must come from a participating stock exchange within the EU-27 Member States.
Previous Winners: Companies that did not win first place in any of the four categories in the 2024 edition are eligible. Exchanges are encouraged, where possible, to nominate companies that were not shortlisted in 2024. However, being previously shortlisted does not disqualify a company from being nominated again.

Special Mention Category

This category recognises an initiative, individual, or company that has made an outstanding contribution to supporting or raising awareness of the challenges and opportunities facing small and mid-cap companies in accessing public financing.

Why Nominate a Small or Mid-Cap Company?

To promote the value of smaller listed companies.
To increase visibility and recognition for small and mid-cap firms.
To demonstrate the value of equity financing to the real economy.

How to apply?

Please download the application form below and send it to us at secretariat@europeanissuers.eu by Monday 2 June at the latest.

The Terms of Reference for the Awards apply to all categories - download here.

International Star

Criteria:

Geographic presence and links beyond the EU Single Market
Impressive results in terms of international sales, profit and market share growth
Well-managed and demonstrating a sound strategy for taking advantage of opportunities outside its own country

Download the application form here.

Rising star

Criteria:

Outstanding performance in the sub-group of SMEs with a market capitalisation of up to €200 million
An emerging business with clear further growth potential and evidence of good governance
Since going public, its share price should have risen to a respectable but not excessive premium

Download the application form here.

Star of Innovation

Criteria:

A company that places innovation at the centre of its strategy for business development
Well-managed and successful in its sector
Particular attention will be paid to the future potential that the innovation offers

Download the application form here.

Star of Sustainability

Criteria:

Corporate citizenship and good governance: active incorporation of ESG issues – encompassing climate, labour and wellbeing, and corporate governance concerns – into company policies and practices, including disclosures; demonstrable commitment to The Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact.
Development of ESG-friendly solutions and/or issuance of sustainable finance instruments (e.g. green, social, or sustainability-linked bonds) to support its sustainability goals and deliver concrete impact
Market share, sales, employment and long-term profit growth*
Share price performance with a long-term perspective*

Download the application form here.

Star of 2025

Unlike in previous editions, where the Star of the Year was awarded as a separate category, the Star of 2025 will be chosen as the best overall entry from among the nominees to the four categories: Star of Innovation, International Star, Rising Star, and Star of Sustainability.

Special Mention

Criteria:

The category recognises outstanding efforts to raise awareness or address the key obstacles small and mid-cap companies face in accessing public financing, as well as proposals that has significant impact at improving their access to capital markets.

Eligible nominations may include:

An initiative: such as a specific policy measure, a programme that broadly supports small and mid-cap companies or an outstanding report in this field.
an individual who has made significant contributions to advancing the visibility or understanding of these issues.
A company which has addressed these issues and/or proposed effective solutions to improve the access to public finance for small and mid-cap companies.

*Nominations cannot include initiatives run by exchanges themselves.

Nominations for this category can be submitted by a wide range of stakeholders, including exchanges, companies, policy makers, and others in the financial services ecosystem.

Download the application form here.

Please download the application form above and send it to us at secretariat@europeanissuers.eu by Monday 18 August at the latest.