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| Find suitable business partners, access the technology database, insert technology offers, requests & search opportunities |
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| Find suitable business partners, information on tender opportunities and international networking. |
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| Find calls for proposals, news, events, and schemes related to FP7 and CIP |
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| A wide range of countries and services |
| A one-stop shop for businesses in over 40 countries |
| The network offers concrete and effective solutions to entrepreneurs and companies in more than 40 countries, including the 27 EU member states, three EU candidate countries (Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Turkey), members of the European Economic Area (EEA) and other participating third countries. The Enterprise Europe Network is unique both in terms of its wide geographic reach and of the wide range of integrated services it provides to SMEs and other business actors. This is made possible thanks to the coordinated action of nearly 600 local partner organisations, employing around 4 000 experienced staff working to support the competitiveness of EU businesses. |
| A one-stop shop for EU businesses |
| Launched in 2008 by the European Commission, the Enterprise Europe Network combines and builds on the former Innovation Relay Centres and Euro Info Centers (established in 1995 and 1987 respectively). The new integrated network offers a “one-stop shop” to meet all the information needs of SMEs and companies in Europe. Instruments include business partner search within technology and business cooperation databases and fast access to information on funding opportunities. Individual on-site visits to companies to assess their needs and a broad range of promotion and information material. Representatives of the network can also help businesses understand EU law, how it applies to their business and how to make the most the internal market and EU programmes. The Enterprise Europe Network fully exploits the synergies between all support services and helpdesks aimed at European businesses. The “one-stop shop” service is accompanied by a “no wrong door” policy: an entrepreneur or business actor can enter the network through any contact point, and will then be assisted and personally directed to the relevant service or organisation. |
| Exchanging best practices to boost competitiveness and regional excellence |
| The Enterprise Europe Network offers easy access and proximity to local services for SMEs, thus creating regional business gateways. Regional consortia cooperate to create a coherent support structure for local companies, boosting the region’s profile and its competitiveness. Business actors are encouraged to share, define and disseminate best practices in fields such as innovation, expansion to new markets, enlargement of the client base, improvement of market position, etc. As a result, the Enterprise Europe Network helps SMEs realise their potential in terms of growth and regional job creation. |
| A two-way street |
| The network will also improve the relationship between the European Commission and business. Network representatives will provide the Commission with regular feedback on EU policy, the difficulties SMEs face operating in the EU and the effectiveness of the EU’s programmes. All this will help shape EU law that is more business-friendly and will stimulate growth and competitiveness across the EU. The network is there to support the European Commission and help it to help business. |
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