Allied For Startups

Less than a MONTH to go! ?? The EU Startup Policy HACKATHON - powered by Allied for Startups and the European Startup Network - is where #policy meets #innovation. Along with Startup Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva, 50+ #startup associations from all 27 EU Member States, and 10,000+ startups, we’re bringing together European founders, investors, and policymakers to brainstorm real solutions for the EU Startup & Scale-up Strategy. ?? Want in? We invite to join the afternoon open session, featuring: ??? The Final Pitch Session – Witness teams present bold solutions to policymakers and public representatives; ?? Closing Keynote – A high-profile speaker (to be announced soon!); ?? Networking Reception – Connect with policymakers and key players from the innovation ecosystem. This is YOUR moment to drive change and shape the innovation landscape in Europe! Apply for your spot today ?? https://lu.ma/fulj9bp7 #StartupLifecycle #PolicyDevelopment #Investment #Capital #Scaling #EURegulation #Competitiveness #Fragmentation Stéphane Séjourné, Henna Virkkunen, Valdis Dombrovskis, Maria Luisa Albuquerque, Michael McGrath, Serena Borbotti-Frison, Vasco Pereira da Silva, Clark Parsons, Robin Wauters, Kitana Roggen, Simon Schaefer, David Hanf, Massimo Gaudina, Isidro Laso, András G. Inotai

Allied for Startups, alongside a broad coalition of industry players, urges the European Commission to advance, not withdraw the Standard Essential Patents (SEP) Regulation. Withdrawing the SEP Regulation would undermine #innovation, #competitiveness, and strategic autonomy - the objectives the EU has pledged to uphold. Startups, scale-ups, and SMEs across Europe need a fair, transparent, and predictable framework for licensing standardised technologies like 5G and WiFi. Without it, legal uncertainty and excessive costs will continue to hinder innovation and digital transformation. ?? In our letter, we call on Commission officials to reconsider its position and engage with industry to develop a SEP framework that works for all. ?? Read the full letter below ?? Ursula von der Leyen, Stéphane Séjourné, Henna Virkkunen, Teresa Ribera, Maro? ?ef?ovi?, Valdis Dombrovskis, Ekaterina Zaharieva, Apostolos Tzitzikostas

Very much looking forward to the views of the startup community as we are developing the future EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy.

We’re excited to have our Director-General, Serena Borbotti-Frison, join the ESNA Advisory Board for the 2025-2026 term! ?? With the upcoming EU Startup and Scale-up Strategy, and other initiatives focused on #innovation and #startup success, it’s an exciting time for entrepreneurs in Europe. We’re excited about the opportunity to collaborate with this brilliant network to drive European #competitiveness and foster a thriving ecosystem for innovators!? ?? Discover the full the Advisory Board: https://lnkd.in/gNjeHjC5

Allied For Startups, alongside 22 other European business associations, is urging Commissioner Henna Virkkunen to fast-track the adoption of the EU Certification Scheme for Cloud Services (EUCS), to drive Europe’s digital future. Here’s why it matters: ? A unified digital market: The EUCS will set consistent #cybersecurity standards across the EU, creating a true Digital Single Market for #cloud services. ? Easier compliance: By aligning with key EU regulations like NIS2, DORA, and CRA, the EUCS will reduce the compliance burden for businesses relying on cloud services. ? Support for European innovation: Startups, SaaS providers, and scale-ups - especially in critical sectors like finance, healthcare, and business services - will benefit from a trusted certification framework that supports growth and #competitiveness. The current EUCS draft focuses on security without duplicating existing regulations like #GDPR and the #DataAct - ensuring clear compliance pathways while maintaining strong security standards. ?? Read the full letter below ?? Svaz pr?myslu a dopravy ?R / Confederation of Industry CZ, European Services Forum, AAVIT – Asociace pro aplikovany vyzkum v IT, AmCham Estonia, Amcham Finland, Association of German Banks (BdB), eco – Association of the Internet Industry, Irish Business and Employers Confederation, American Chamber of Commerce in Italy, InnovUp, INFOBALT, Nederland Digitaal, Zwi?zek Cyfrowa Polska / Digital Poland Association, Konfederacja Lewiatan, Startup Poland, APDSI PT, AmCham Romania, Confederatia Patronala Concordia, SAPIE - Slovak Alliance for Innovation Economy, AmChamSpain, AMETIC, Asociación Espa?ola de Startups (Spanish Startups Association)

?? Can the private and public sectors work together to create the conditions for economic growth and #competitiveness, without holding back #innovation? In the latest episode of Debating Europe, our Director-General, Serena Borbotti-Frison, alongside MEP Arba Kokalari (European People's Party) and Karen Massin (Head of Government Affairs & Public Policy - EU Institutions, Google), tackled this pressing question. Together, they explored ways to: ?? Boost Europe’s competitive edge in #tech innovation ?? Shift the narrative around #AI and emerging technologies ?? Leverage AI and new technologies for growth A huge thank you to the fellow panellists and to Dharmendra Kanani for his expert moderation and coordination of this important discussion! ??? Watch the full debate: https://lnkd.in/eQxSbXiF #2024Voices Friends of Europe Julie Malaize

We’re proud to announce that our Director-General, Serena Borbotti-Frison, has been appointed to the ESNA - Europe Startup Nations Alliance Advisory Board for the 2025-2026 term! ?? Serena’s expertise and deep dedication to fostering #innovation will be an important asset in shaping Europe’s #startup ecosystem. As ESNA continues to drive impactful initiatives, we’re excited to have her represent Allied For Startups and collaborate with top industry leaders in this influential network. Congratulations to all the fellow new board members! We look forward to working together to strengthen Europe’s startup landscape! ?? ?? Learn more about the ESNA Advisory Board: https://lnkd.in/gNjeHjC5 Paulo Andrez, Carme Artigas, André de Arag?o Azevedo, Ana Barjasic, Sam Eshrati, Martina Fitzgerald, Ricardo Greenfield, Sabrina Guelck, Vit Horky, Omar Kandil, Egle Markeviciute, Sacha Michaud, Thaleia Misailidou, Padraig Nolan, CIPP-E, Thijs Povel, Clark Parsons, Markus Raunig, Jo?o Trigo da Roza, Tatjana Zabasu Miku?, Greta ??kien?.

?? What do founders and other #innovation ecosystem stakeholders want to see in the EU Startup and Scale-up Strategy? What are the biggest obstacles holding back #startup growth in Europe? We went straight to the heart of it last week at #Techarena2025. The result? Watch the below video featuring our Startup Policy Officer, Kalle Fahlvik, as he interviews key ecosystem players around the Strawberry Arena! ?? ??? Stay tuned for updates on the next stops of our #AFSTour where we’ll keep these important conversations going! ?? Big shoutout to: MEP Arba Kokalari, Olivia Nestius, Stina Lantz, Antonio Dias Martins, Francisco Seixas, Ana Catarina Araújo Silva, Graphmatech, SPOT Nordic, Weiver, SISP - Swedish Incubators & Science Parks, Startup Portugal.

Day 2 at TECHARENA! ?? We just wrapped up an insightful panel hosted by Startup Portugal, where our Head of Policy, Vasco Pereira da Silva, alongside Ellinor Bokedal (SISP - Swedish Incubators & Science Parks) and Anne Lidgard (Vinnova, ESNA - Europe Startup Nations Alliance) discussed how we can create a competitive European regulatory framework. From the EU Startup and Scale-up Strategy to the 28th regime, and the legal definition of a #startup, we explored key steps toward building a more unified, competitive, and innovation-driven Europe. A huge thank you to Startup Portugal and Jo?o Silva for the kind invitation, coordination, and expert moderation of the discussion, as well as to our fellow panelists for their brilliant insights! ?? Follow us along to discover the next stop of the #AFSTour!

Day 1 at TECHARENA! ?? During the first day of #Techarena2025, we had the pleasure of co-hosting a #startup policy track together with our fantastic member organisation SISP - Swedish Incubators & Science Parks. Our Startup Policy Officer, Kalle Fahlvik, kicked-off the discussion with an introduction on the upcoming EU Startup and Scale-up Strategy. He was then joined by an outstanding panel of experts: MEP Arba Kokalari (European Parliament), Ana Catarina Araújo Silva (SPOT Nordic), Dan Zethraeus (Elonroad), Salla Franzén (Navigare Ventures), Olivia Nestius (Graphmatech). The discussion, moderated by the brilliant Stina Lantz (SISP), tackled how Europe can work towards closing the #innovation gap, and what should be included in the Strategy.? ? Better access to funding ? Unlocking public procurement for startups ? Ensuring free flow of data ? Regulatory simplification & clear frameworks ? Supporting startups at all growth stages …the ideas were flowing! A massive thank you to Ellinor Bokedal, Stina Lantz, and the entire SISP team for this incredible collaboration. And of course, to all the speakers, attendees, and contributors who shared their insights. ?? ?? Got ideas for what you’d like to see in the Startup and Scale-up Strategy? As Kalle put it, “Speak now or forever hold your peace!” #AFSTour