Category Enterprise Academy

Some well-deserved praise for those organizing events in less obvious places in Europe, and the role they play in developing the local startup ecosystem(s).

Running from one European tech conference to the next has the unfortunate side effect that everything tends to become a blur. At events, ranging from small meet-ups to large summits, forums and festivals (the term ‘conference’ has definitely fallen out of fashion), I would meet with startup founders, investors, policymakers and other industry stakeholders, never quite certain where and when exactly I met them if run into them a second time.

And yet, I find it important to attend and occasionally speak at events that have a crucial role in developing a local ecosystem, whether it is a regional or a national one.

Over the years, I’ve...

Connect and learn with top-tier entrepreneurs, artists, and scientists at a beautiful location.

Experience inspirational storytelling, interactive panels, know shops, pillow talks, art installations, live music, and so much more…

Find out more… Tech Open Air 2017

Silicon Valley is by far the most successful tech hub on the planet. However, European and Asian cities have started gaining on the startup mecca — so much so, that you could even say Europe has become better than SV.

But as we’ve pointed out, Europe isn’t one large monolithic block, each country and city has it’s strengths and weaknesses when it comes to startups. If we truly want to understand European startup ecosystems better, we’ll need to take a more in-depth look at each country.

That’s why TNW contacted Brigitte Zypries, Germany’s Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, to get more information about how Germany — one of Europe’s biggest and most influential economies — plans on stimulating it’s startup scene.

Why only have one ‘Silicon Valley’ when you can...

TWELVE YEARS AFTER DROPPING out of Harvard, Mark Zuckerberg returned to campus—a few years older, a few commas richer—and delivered a commencement speech that expressed a radically different vision of his purpose in life from the one he spelled out in instant messages sent from the dorm room where it all started. The Facebook founder’s address started boilerplate enough, with Zuckerberg centering his talk around the importance of purpose, which, for him, is the nonthreatening concept of “connecting the world,” his longtime hobbyhorse. He urged the graduating class not to underestimate the impact of small actions and the importance of working toward a greater good.

But then Zuckerberg ventured out of his comfort zone...

Learn, Teach and Make with the Tinusaur

A small board with a tiny chip on it that comes as an assembly kit – a package with parts so you get the chance to learn how to solder it. The circuit is so simple that there are few things that could go wrong. It’s been around for 3 years and used in schools and universities to educate young people in both hardware and software. With this campaign, you could help us produce more of the Tinusaur boards, bring the cost down to $3 per basic board and allow more people to be able to get them.

This is the Tinusaur Board

The Tinusaur is a small board with a tiny chip on it.

It comes as an assembly kit – a small package with parts.

The Tinusaur is powered by the Atmel ATtiny85 microcontroller.

This circuit is so simple that there are very few things...

ID COMPETITION FOR STARTUPS AND BUSINESS CREATION

The 2014 edition of the Incubateur Descartes call for projects’ competition was launched on October 15th with a deadline to submit applications on November 30th.

The CfP focuses on 3 themes:

• Green and sustainable city
• Digital services
• Health and wellness.

The best projects will be offered incubation services of the innovative company creation project and a financial support to share with a total value of 150,000 euros. The 1st prize for projects having a strong adaptation to climate change or climate impact is sponsored by the Climate KIC France Acceleration programme.

The competition is open to individuals who plan to create a startup and businesses created after January 1st, 2013.

The application file is available on request at conco...

25 SMEs will be offered €4000 to participate in the Intelligent Transport System Congress 2015, in addition to exhibition space and coaching to make the most of the opportunity.

Capital High Tech, an EBN member, is involved in a H2020  – Galileo project called JUPITER coordinated by the Aerospace Valley cluster, aiming at promoting the use of European Global Navigation Satellite System (EGNSS) in the Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) sector in Europe and worldwide. The project is launching a call for candidates (open to all nationalities: Europe and worldwide) targeting SMEs: 25 SMEs developing or having already developed a solution (product or service) using EGNSS for the ITS sector will be selected and rewarded with, notably, a financial support (4000€) to attend the ITS Worl...

EBN – the innovation network – is running a half day workshop for universities, incubators, accelerators, and other intermediaries interested in learning more about EU fundingprogrammes and how to access opportunities.

Additionally, EBN will present its quality certification programme that helps intermediaries present their services to stakeholders, investors and clients.

International networking is a key part of any business in today’s globalised economy. Find out how to connect to over 250 trusted partners across Europe and beyond.

More information from Jenny Reynolds at [email protected]

Global Entrepreneurship Congress 2015 will be held in Milan in March 2015, immediately before the beginning of the EXPO 2015.

The GEC is an inter-disciplinary gathering of startup champions from all around the world. During the meeting, entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, thought leaders and policymakers work together to help bring ideas to life, drive economic growth and expand human welfare.

The 4-day events will bring to Italy thousands of entrepreneurs, investors and innovators from more than 140 countries worldwide, offering extraordinary opportunity for sharing ideas, networking and business and to understand what works and what does not work, to form a variety of options for mutually beneficial cooperation.

Who can participate? Entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, academics...

The second #ACESummit will be taking place in Milan in partnership with the Global Entrepreneurship Congress 2015 hosted by our partner META Group.

As in 2014, the ACE Summit will introduce the most innovative ICT SMEs and startups selected by ACE to investors, mentors and potential partners in other European markets. The Summit also aims at identifying opportunities for cross-border investment in Europe and provide investor readiness training and pitching sessions for the ACE startups.

Programme and registration will be available soon. Stay tuned and follow us at @EU_ACE for updates!

Check out last year’s ACE Summit picture gallery here.