Big Tech Acquisitions and Innovation: Competitive Effects and EU Merger Control

Competition will play a central role in the European Commission’s industrial strategy. In her mission letter to Commissioner Vestager, Ursula Von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, states that establishing a level playing field optimises the competitiveness of industries which will boost the productivity and incentivise businesses to invest and innovate.

As part of the strategic and ambitious programme to build a Europe fit for the Digital Age and to ensure competition policies and rules are shaped for the modern economy, Ms Vestager’s main task will be to review the current EU competition and merger control rules.

It is within this context that CERRE is organising an executive seminar to discuss the pro and anti-competitive effects of the acquisitions of start-ups by big tech firms and whether the current EU merger rules are suitable to such a framework.

This event will bring together representatives from national and European competition authorities, industry players and academic experts for an afternoon of discussion on this fascinating topic.

Confirmed speakers to-date include academics and representatives from:

Facebook

Microsoft

Vodafone

Telecom Paris

UCL Laws

University of Namur