Welcome to the latest edition of the European SME Week Newsletter


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FEBRUARY 2025

All the latest news from European SME Week

The EEPA 2025 is here!

In this issue, you will find all the details about the 2025 edition.The final awards ceremony will take place at the SME Assembly in Copenhagen, Denmark, on 10-12 November 2025.

Moreover, you will explore additional opportunities to support Europe's brightest young entrepreneurs and emerging scholars with funding and tailored support, the European Commission’s Competitiveness Compass, and Denmark’s newly launched Chip Excellence Centre.

We want to hear from you: be sure to get in touch with your entrepreneurial insights, experiences, and stories, to be featured in future editions!

EEPA 2025 has officially launched!

We have begun our annual search for Europe’s most successful promoters of enterprise, raising awareness of the role entrepreneurs play in society. Join the 2025 European Enterprise Promotion Awards (EEPA) competition to be recognised for your hard work and let’s meet up in the final awards ceremony at the SME Assembly!

Last year, we received 442 entries from 29 countries: now it’s your turn!

Find out more about applying here.

📆 The European deadline for entries is the 18th of July but remember to follow our social media channels for updates on national deadlines!

Say Hej to Copenhagen: The SME Assembly is coming to Denmark

This year’s SME Assembly will officially be held in Copenhagen, Denmark, from 10-12 November 2025, hosted in conjunction with the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. From its iconic charm to its innovative spirit, the Danish capital is the perfect city to host the most significant event for small and medium-sized enterprises in Europe.

As every year, the SME Assembly 2025 will feature the European Enterprise Promotion Awards 2025 Ceremony, finale of the Youth Start-up Competition 2025, and the renowned Schumpeter ‘Innovation in Enterprise' Lecture.

Keep an eye on Futurium for updates.

Want a taste of what's to come? Check out the highlights from the SME Assembly in Budapest below.

A path to sustainable prosperity and competitiveness

The European Commission’s Competitiveness Compass, published in January, sets out an ambitious plan to strengthen the EU’s economic position – building on recommendations from high-level reports by Enrico Letta and Mario Draghi published last year.

The Compass sets a path for the EU to lead in future technologies, identifying three core areas of action:

Innovation;
Decarbonisation;
Security and resilience.

From reducing and simplifying regulation to lowering barriers to the Single Market, there is massive potential to support and encourage SMEs in their contribution to Europe’s future. Learn more about the European Commission's plans for sustainable prosperity and competitiveness in Europe here.

The Young European Entrepreneur Award is a dynamic business pitching contest designed to celebrate innovation and entrepreneurship across all sectors. The pitching session takes place on 5 June during the EU Industry Day in Rzeszów, Poland.

Open to young entrepreneurs under 40, it provides start-ups with the resources and support needed to help scale their businesses.

The top three winners will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the SME Assembly 2025 in Denmark!

📆 Apply by 14 March 2025. More information here

The Federation of European Securities Exchanges (FESE) will award the De la Vega Prize 2025 to a young scholar for their outstanding research paper on financial markets.

Papers should focus on financial markets, with those about current developments in European financial markets which promote public markets particularly welcome. The winning paper will be awarded €5,000.

📆 Deadline to apply – 4 April 2025. Apply here.

With the computational power of chips and semiconductors set to transform industries, Denmark has taken steps towards ensuring that SMEs and startups can grow and collaborate in this vital sector.

The recently launched Danish Chips Competence Centre acts as a central hub, empowering SMEs through access to cutting-edge resources, collaborative opportunities, and links to wider European networks.

Learn more about how this collaboration between academia and industry is empowering SMEs in the chips sectors.

Cutting reporting obligations on businesses is a key commitment of the European Commission. Eurochambres have actively contributed to the initiative by publishing concrete examples of areas that have become burdensome for businesses, emphasising that a competitive EU requires a proportionate regulatory environment which is SME-friendly.

Head to Futurium for more insights and access to the report.

Stay up to date.

To keep up to date, make sure to sign up for our newsletter, to visit Futurium regularly and to follow us on social media. To check out the highlights of last year’s SME Assembly 2024 - just head to our YouTube channel, with photos from the event available on Flickr.

Is there something else you would like to see on our channels, or perhaps you need to spread the word about your innovative activities? Get in touch at smeweek@loweurope.eu and let us know.

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The information and views set out in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the European Union. Neither the European Union institutions and bodies nor any person acting on their behalf may be held responsible for the use which may be made of the information contained therein. Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged. The European Enterprise Promotion Awards is a key initiative of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs. This publication is financed under the EU programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, which is mostly managed by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA).