Allied For Startups

AFS Annual Summit - Highlights Video 💫 📹 With the release of the Letta and Draghi reports, the appointment of a new Commissioner for Startups and Innovation, and the launch of The EU Inc Petition, there's a special momentum for #startups across Europe. During our #AFSAnnualSummit, we explored key topics like #competitiveness, regulatory burden, and #AI, while addressing the above developments. Watch our highlights video featuring Serena Borbotti-Frison (Allied For Startups), Csongor Biás (Startup Hungary ), Gianluca Maruzzella (indigo.ai), and Ana Barjasic (CONNECTOLOGY) as they shed light on the current startup landscape. ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/eFkBnHsY

While #artificialintelligence continues to revolutionise industries, it also brings new challenges on the front of #data protection. To address this, the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) has just released an opinion on data processing for the training of #AI models, aiming to balance #innovation with #privacy. In our very last article of 2024, we dive into the EDPB opinion, exploring its impact on businesses and how it could influence the future of AI development in Europe. So, before you fully switch to holiday mode, be sure to read the full article! 👇 Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a joyful festive season! 🎄✨ #DataProtection #DataSecurity #EUPolicy #TechPolicy #DataPolicy

🇵🇱 🇩🇰 🇨🇾 As Poland, Denmark, and Cyprus prepare to take on the Trio Presidency of the Council of the European Union, we're calling for a new approach to how the EU champions #startups, #scaleups, and #innovation. At last week’s event, co-hosted by Allied For Startups and The S9+ Coalition, we presented the Trio Paper - our collaborative effort with Danske Iværksættere - Danish Entrepreneurs, Startup Poland, and Startup Cyprus. The paper outlines strategic recommendations to simplify regulations, bridge funding gaps, and empower startups to scale across borders. In essence, it’s a roadmap for creating a competitive, innovation-friendly Europe. Key recommendations include: 👉 Streamlining reporting requirements to ease the burden on startups, 👉 Completing the #CapitalMarketsUnion to unlock #investment, 👉 Stronger support for #AI startups and a balanced approach to #digital innovation, 👉 Enhancing transatlantic relations and attracting global talent, 👉 Tackling market fragmentation by introducing the #28regime, enabling seamless cross-border scaling. With the right focus, the Trio Presidency has a unique opportunity to improve Europe’s innovation landscape and secure its leadership in global technology. Discover the Trio Paper and discover our recommendations below. 👇 #Competitiveness #EUCompetitiveness #Tech #Technology #Entrepreneurship

Earlier this month, our Policy Manager - Maxime Ricard, had the opportunity to speak at an online webinar hosted by the European Centre for International Political Economy (ECIPE). The session delved into the critical intersection of #cloud #cybersecurity, #digitalsovereignty, and EU #competitiveness. During the discussion, Maxime pointed out the following: ➡️ How restrictive EU cloud policies, such as the EUCS, risk stifling #startups’ scalability and global competitiveness, emphasising the need for a harmonised EU framework that balances cybersecurity with market access. ➡️ The economic risks of measures like data localisation and exclusive certifications that could widen the ICT and cloud investment gap between the EU and the US. A big thank you to the ECIPE team for organising such a timely and impactful webinar, and in particular to Dr Matthias Bauer for moderating the discussion so brilliantly! Additionally, a huge shoutout to the other speakers, Marcus Corry, Director, Technology & Operations, AFME (Association for Financial Markets in Europe) and Damien Rilliard, Senior Director, EMEA Sovereignty Lead, Oracle, for their thoughtful contributions and insights. Missed the webinar? Read the full summary of the session. 👇 https://lnkd.in/exi2BZXV

Yesterday, we hosted a roundtable discussion titled “Too fair or too far? The age of the Digital Fairness Act”, during which we explored the consequences of the Commission’s upcoming policy file. The legislation aims to address gaps in the EU’s tech policy framework, focusing on areas like #targetedadvertising, #addictivedesign practices, and #darkpatterns. Throughout the roundtable, we worked to find a balance between consumer protection and ensuring that regulations don’t hinder #innovation and growth - particularly for #startups and smaller businesses. A big thank you to our incredible speakers for sharing their insights: 🗣️ Alexandre de Streel - Academic Director, Centre on Regulation in Europe (CERRE); Professor, Université de Namur 🗣️ Inés T. - Digital Public Policy Manager and Sustainability Regulatory Lead, IAB Europe 🗣️ Peter Kofler - Chairman, Danske Iværksættere - Danish Entrepreneurs 🗣️ Daniel Dalton - Senior Advisor, Allied for Startups (moderator) Looking ahead, clear and simplified regulations tailored to the needs of smaller businesses are essential. Encouraging open dialogue among regulators, consumers, and businesses remains key to incorporating diverse perspectives.

🚀 The Innovation Games: Catching Europe’s Startup Momentum 🚀 Yesterday, we wrapped up the year with our final event, co-organised with The S9+ Coalition representing #startup organisations from Europe’s most digitally advanced countries, and kindly hosted by MEP Morten Løkkegaard. With the EU entering a new parliamentary mandate and the upcoming Polish, Danish, and Cypriot presidencies of the Council of the EU, the timing couldn’t be more critical. Together with an inspiring mix of policymakers, startup leaders, and key #innovation ecosystem stakeholders, we explored the challenges facing Europe’s startups - regulatory fragmentation, funding gaps, and global #competitiveness - while discussing bold, actionable solutions to empower the next wave of European innovators. A big thank you to our incredible speakers for sharing their insights: MEP Morten Løkkegaard, MEP Niels Flemming Hansen, MEP Urmas Paet, MEP Anouk van Brug, MEP Paulo Cunha, Hedi Mardisoo (Cachet, Estonian Founders Society), Michiel Scheffer 🟥 (European Innovation Council), András G. Inotai (European Commission) and Christian Walther Øyrabø (ooono A/S), as well as the great moderators: Lucien Burm (Dutch Startup Association) and Serena Borbotti-Frison (Allied for Startups). Moreover, a huge shoutout to Simone Skovshoved, Simon Andersen and Peter Kofler (Danske Iværksættere - Danish Entrepreneurs), Hendrik-Jan Overmeer (Dutch Startup Association), João Silva (Startup Portugal), Miguel Ferrer Jiménez (Adigital, #EsTech), Leen Anthuenis (Scale-Ups.eu) and the rest of the The S9+ Coalition, namely the Suomen startup-yhteisö, Startup Poland, and SISP - Swedish Incubators & Science Parks, for co-organising this fantastic event! Let’s seize the momentum and ensure startups are truly at the heart of European innovation in this mandate!

Welcoming Our New Member: Unicorns Lithuania 🦄 🇱🇹 Unicorns Lithuania is the country’s largest and most dynamic #startup association, championing the vision of a future-ready Lithuania. With a mission to mobilise and empower the nation’s startup and tech ecosystem, Unicorns Lithuania fosters collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and growth. Together, they tackle challenges and unlock opportunities to build a robust foundation for sustainable #innovation. The organisation represents industry interests in the decision-making process, building bridges with institutions, interest groups, and partners. Their impactful initiatives are driving transformative change in critical areas such as education reform, policy innovation, and comprehensive business support. Thank you for your trust and support, Gintare Verbickaite and the whole Unicorns Lithuania team! We're looking forward to our collaboration and gaining more insight into the Lithuanian startup landscape. 🔗 Learn more about Unicorns Lithuania: https://unicorns.lt/

The EU-Inc blueprint unveiled 🇪🇺 Backed by 13,000 stakeholders, The EU Inc Petition has launched its industry blueprint, urging the European Commission to establish a single pan-European entity accessible for #startups! But this is just the beginning - and we need your insights to take it even further. By refining the blueprint together, we can create a comprehensive policy proposal that truly addresses the needs of Europe’s startup ecosystem. We invite founders, startup organisations, industry experts, policymakers, tax specialists, and legal professionals - anyone with a stake in Europe’s innovation future - to contribute your expertise and feedback. As the European Commission prepares its 2025 Work Programme, the inclusion and implementation of the EU-Inc proposal could become a cornerstone of a more unified and globally competitive European startup ecosystem. Don’t wait! Submit your feedback by 15 January: https://lnkd.in/dqeDckKs Explore recent coverage of EU-Inc: 🔗 EU-Startups: https://lnkd.in/dA7Z_2uR 🔗 Tech.eu: https://lnkd.in/d9gkUtVT 🔗 Millionaire: https://lnkd.in/eVTGt5AR 🔗 La Repubblica: https://lnkd.in/e8yRBX3E Andreas Klinger, Csongor Biás, Simon Schaefer, Kalle Fahlvik, Serena Borbotti-Frison

We’re thrilled to announce our upcoming event, “Too Fair or Too Far? The Age of the Digital Fairness Act”, taking place on 11 December, from 11:00 to 13:30 in Brussels. This intimate roundtable will bring together experts to delve into the European Commission’s #DigitalFairnessAct (DFA), tackling key issues such as targeted advertising, addictive designs, and dark patterns. We will also examine how to strike the right balance between fairness, certainty, and economic growth, while exploring the potential implications of the DFA for businesses, particularly #startups. 🔒 Seats are limited to just 15 participants, offering a unique chance to engage in meaningful discussions discussions with leading voices in the field. Don’t miss out! Apply for your spot now: https://lu.ma/yjc7bk8p #Startups #Scaleups #DFA #DigitalPolicy #EUPolicy

Welcoming our new member: CRO STARTUP 🙌 🇭🇷 We’re thrilled to introduce CRO STARTUP, a non-profit, non-governmental organisation, committed to empowering the Croatian startup ecosystem and representing it on both the European and global stage. Driven entirely by dedicated volunteers, the organisation supports the interests of national startup founders and employees by providing a wide range of resources, tools and networks. Beyond strengthening the ecosystem and amplifying the visibility of Croatia’s startup scene, its mission is to help create a more favourable regulatory framework by simplifying the processes of opening and operating a business, investing or raising funds in Croatia, and attracting and retaining talent. Thank you for your trust and support Marijana Sarolic Robic and the whole CRO STARTUP team - we're looking forward to our close collaboration and gaining more insight into the national Croatian startup landscape. Welcome aboard! 🔗 Learn more about CRO STARTUP: https://crostartup.org/ #Startup #Startups #Scaleups #Innovation