Escaping the money trap: New ideas for financing SMEs
City: Etterbeek
Improving access to finance for SMEs, and more specifically initial investment and the ongoing injection of equity, is essential if an SME is to tap into its growth and innovation potential. However, a large number of SMEs in the EU face an equity gap; when their initial funds have been exhausted, entrepreneurs have to obtain external finance to develop their project.
Financing SMEs is often considered too risky on account of the low rates of return,particularly during the seed phase. There is thus a lack of business angels and venture capital funds that are willing to invest in young innovative SMEs.
Restoring SME health and growth has moved to the top of policy making agendas in Europe. Under Horizon 2020, the EU is making about €2 billion a year available for SME support. In November, the EC announced a €315 billion investment programme – with a large slice targeted to SMEs.
This Science|Business conference will discuss the best ways to boost SME financing.
Improving access to finance for SMEs, and more specifically initial investment and the ongoing injection of equity, is essential if an SME is to tap into its growth and innovation potential. However, a large number of SMEs in the EU face an equity gap; when their initial funds have been exhausted, entrepreneurs have to obtain external finance to develop their project.
Financing SMEs is often considered too risky on account of the low rates of return,particularly during the seed phase. There is thus a lack of business angels and venture capital funds that are willing to invest in young innovative SMEs.
Restoring SME health and growth has moved to the top of policy making agendas in Europe. Under Horizon 2020, the EU is making about €2 billion a year available for SME support. In November, the EC announced a €315 billion investment programme – with a large slice targeted to SMEs.
This Science|Business conference will discuss the best ways to boost SME financing.
Improving access to finance for SMEs, and more specifically initial investment and the ongoing injection of equity, is essential if an SME is to tap into its growth and innovation potential. However, a large number of SMEs in the EU face an equity gap; when their initial funds have been exhausted, entrepreneurs have to obtain external finance to develop their project.
Financing SMEs is often considered too risky on account of the low rates of return,particularly during the seed phase. There is thus a lack of business angels and venture capital funds that are willing to invest in young innovative SMEs.
Restoring SME health and growth has moved to the top of policy making agendas in Europe. Under Horizon 2020, the EU is making about €2 billion a year available for SME support. In November, the EC announced a €315 billion investment programme – with a large slice targeted to SMEs.
This Science|Business conference will discuss the best ways to boost SME financing.
access to finance for SMEs, and more specifically initial investment and the ongoing injection of equity, is essential if an SME is to tap into its growth and innovation potential. However, a large number of SMEs in the EU face an equity gap; when their initial funds have been exhausted, entrepreneurs have to obtain external finance to develop their project.
Financing SMEs is often considered too risky on account of the low rates of return,particularly during the seed phase. There is thus a lack of business angels and venture capital funds that are willing to invest in young innovative SMEs.
Restoring SME health and growth has moved to the top of policy making agendas in Europe. Under Horizon 2020, the EU is making about €2 billion a year available for SME support. In November, the EC announced a €315 billion investment programme – with a large slice targeted to SMEs.
This Science|Business conference will discuss the best ways to boost SME financing.
Partners: 
Improving access to finance for SMEs, and more specifically initial investment and the ongoing injection of equity, is essential if an SME is to tap into its growth and innovation potential. However, a large number of SMEs in the EU face an equity gap; when their initial funds have been exhausted, entrepreneurs have to obtain external finance to develop their project.
Financing SMEs is often considered too risky on account of the low rates of return,particularly during the seed phase. There is thus a lack of business angels and venture capital funds that are willing to invest in young innovative SMEs.
Restoring SME health and growth has moved to the top of policy making agendas in Europe. Under Horizon 2020, the EU is making about €2 billion a year available for SME support. In November, the EC announced a €315 billion investment programme – with a large slice targeted to SMEs.
This Science|Business conference will discuss the best ways to boost SME financing.
Partners:
access to finance for SMEs, and more specifically initial investment and the ongoing injection of equity, is essential if an SME is to tap into its growth and innovation potential. However, a large number of SMEs in the EU face an equity gap; when their initial funds have been exhausted, entrepreneurs have to obtain external finance to develop their project.
Financing SMEs is often considered too risky on account of the low rates of return,particularly during the seed phase. There is thus a lack of business angels and venture capital funds that are willing to invest in young innovative SMEs.
Restoring SME health and growth has moved to the top of policy making agendas in Europe. Under Horizon 2020, the EU is making about €2 billion a year available for SME support. In November, the EC announced a €315 billion investment programme – with a large slice targeted to SMEs.
This Science|Business conference will discuss the best ways to boost SME financing.
Partners:
Preliminary programme
| 14:00 | Coffee and registration |
| 14:15 | Welcome and introduction |
| 14:20 | Topic 1: Why is it so difficult for SMEs to get financed in Europe? |
| 15:10 | Presentation of new Science|Business research: The role of IP in SME finances |
| 15:30 | Coffee break |
| 16:00 | Topic 2: What are the solutions in Europe? Can the Juncker Plan make the difference? |
| 16:45 | Topic 3: Policy Prescriptions |
| 17:30 | Cocktail Reception |
Featured guests
Director of COSME Program and SME Policy, DG Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, European Commission
Member of the European Parliament
Member of the European Parliament
Director for Research and Computing, CERN
Senior Vice President, Group Technology Development, SKF
Head of SME Programmes, International Institute for Product and Service Innovation, Warwick University
Improving access to finance for SMEs, and more specifically initial investment and the ongoing injection of equity, is essential if an SME is to tap into its growth and innovation potential. However, a large number of SMEs in the EU face an equity gap; when their initial funds have been exhausted, entrepreneurs have to obtain external finance to develop their project.
Financing SMEs is often considered too risky on account of the low rates of return,particularly during the seed phase. There is thus a lack of business angels and venture capital funds that are willing to invest in young innovative SMEs.
Restoring SME health and growth has moved to the top of policy making agendas in Europe. Under Horizon 2020, the EU is making about €2 billion a year available for SME support. In November, the EC announced a €315 billion investment programme – with a large slice targeted to SMEs.
This Science|Business conference will discuss the best ways to boost SME financing.
Partners:
Preliminary programme
| 14:00 | Coffee and registration |
| 14:15 | Welcome and introduction |
| 14:20 | Topic 1: Why is it so difficult for SMEs to get financed in Europe? |
| 15:10 | Presentation of new Science|Business research: The role of IP in SME finances |
| 15:30 | Coffee break |
| 16:00 | Topic 2: What are the solutions in Europe? Can the Juncker Plan make the difference? |
| 16:45 | Topic 3: Policy Prescriptions |
| 17:30 | Cocktail Reception |
Featured guests
Director of COSME Program and SME Policy, DG Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, European Commission
Member of the European Parliament
Member of the European Parliament
Director for Research and Computing, CERN
Senior Vice President, Group Technology Development, SKF
Head of SME Programmes, International Institute for Product and Service Innovation, Warwick University
Improving access to finance for SMEs, and more specifically initial investment and the ongoing injection of equity, is essential if an SME is to tap into its growth and innovation potential. However, a large number of SMEs in the EU face an equity gap; when their initial funds have been exhausted, entrepreneurs have to obtain external finance to develop their project.
Financing SMEs is often considered too risky on account of the low rates of return,particularly during the seed phase. There is thus a lack of business angels and venture capital funds that are willing to invest in young innovative SMEs.
Restoring SME health and growth has moved to the top of policy making agendas in Europe. Under Horizon 2020, the EU is making about €2 billion a year available for SME support. In November, the EC announced a €315 billion investment programme – with a large slice targeted to SMEs.
This Science|Business conference will discuss the best ways to boost SME financing.
Partners:
Preliminary programme
| 14:00 | Coffee and registration |
| 14:15 | Welcome and introduction |
| 14:20 | Topic 1: Why is it so difficult for SMEs to get financed in Europe? |
| 15:10 | Presentation of new Science|Business research: The role of IP in SME finances |
| 15:30 | Coffee break |
| 16:00 | Topic 2: What are the solutions in Europe? Can the Juncker Plan make the difference? |
| 16:45 | Topic 3: Policy Prescriptions |
| 17:30 | Cocktail Reception |
Featured guests
Director of COSME Program and SME Policy, DG Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, European Commission
Member of the European Parliament
Member of the European Parliament
Director for Research and Computing, CERN
Senior Vice President, Group Technology Development, SKF
Head of SME Programmes, International Institute for Product and Service Innovation, Warwick University