Webinar: How The EU Can Help Your Startup Grow - InvestEU & Enterprise Europe Network

On 24 April, Allied For Startups hosted an online webinar titled “How The EU Can Help Your Startup Grow” for our members and their communities, focused on how startups can better leverage EU support to scale their businesses.

Featuring presentations by Charlotte Josam, Policy Officer at the European Commission’s DG ECFIN, and Alberto Valenzano, Team Leader at the European Commission’s DG GROW, the session spotlighted two major EU-backed initiatives designed to boost #innovation and #entrepreneurship.

InvestEU Programme

The InvestEU Programme mobilises private investment to support startups in sustainability, social innovation, and R&D, with resources like:

• InvestEU Fund: Offers guarantees to financial intermediaries (banks, VCs, etc.) to improve access to funding for startups in sustainability, social innovation, and R&D.
• Advisory Hub: Provides free consulting services to help startups grow, scale sustainably, and secure financing.
• InvestEU Portal: A matchmaking platform with over 1,600 projects, connecting startups with investors through both online and in-person networking events.

Enterprise Europe Network

The Enterprise Europe Network is Europe’s largest SME support network that connects startups to expert advice advice, support and opportunities for international partnerships. The benefits include:

• Advisory Services: Free expert support on business strategy, regulation, funding, sustainability, and intellectual property.

• Partnering Services: Helps startups find international commercial and tech partners for collaborations and product development.

• Focus on Inclusion: Targeted programs for women entrepreneurs and startups in Southern and Eastern Europe, with a focus on improving access to EU-level funding like EIC grants.

The webinar offered explanations on how these EU-backed programmes can help startups and SMEs grow, making it a practical resource for our network. Many thanks to Charlotte and Alberto for taking the time to share their initiatives, and to everyone who joined us.