Exosens traces the transformation of a little-known French photonics and detection company into a listed European deep-tech champion.

Arcapita, a Bahrain-based alternative investment firm, acquired NAS United Healthcare Services, a leading independent third-party administrator of health-insurance benefits with substantial operations in the UAE and Kuwait. Soon after the acquisition, Arcapita and NAS’s management confronted a series of decisions that tested the original investment thesis.

Under the leadership of CEO Tim Van Hauwermeiren, argenx, a European biotech company specializing in autoimmune diseases, completed a landmark IPO on Euronext Brussels in July 2014 that raised €40 million and valued the company at €132 million. The IPO enabled argenx to accelerate R&D and expand internationally.

The case study highlights the strategic decision-making process, the challenges faced, and the importance of board and executive alignment in successfully navigating the complex journey to IPO.

Case B provides further insights into the complexities of preparing a technology company for an IPO, emphasizing the importance of leadership, strategic planning, and effective communication in navigating the transition from a private to a public company.

Salmon Evolution, a Norwegian on-land salmon farming company, was established in 2017 with a vision of innovating in the industry to ensure sustainability. Trond Håkon Schaug-Pettersen, transitioning from CFO to CEO in January 2023, played a pivotal role in its capitalization journey from private placements to public markets.

The case study focuses on the strategic use of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles by Salmon Evolution during its initial public offering (IPO) and subsequent growth phase.

The case focuses on Arianee – a France-based scale-up at the forefront of the blockchain digital economy. Founded in 2017 by four French serial entrepreneurs including Pierre-Nicolas Hurstel and Frédéric Montagnon, Arianee offers web3 solutions for brands, such as digital product passports and clienteling tools.

In January 2022, Sara Chemmaa, founder and CEO of Citron, a Dubai-based start-up that made distinctive lunchboxes and other carry containers, is reviewing her pitch deck for a Series A investment round. Will her growth story appeal to institutional investors? Will the expansion strategy for her consumer goods company convince funds with an investment remit in tech-based ventures?

Majid Al Futtaim (MAF) is a lifestyle conglomerate present in 16 countries in the Middle East and North Africa, with annual revenues of $9.6 billion. The case focuses on its data-led, customer-centred transformation that unlocked new sources of growth and mitigated the effects of the covid19 pandemic on business thanks to the group’s digital resilience.