Allied For Startups

Introducing our brand-new logo! 🥳 After an incredible decade, it is time for a fresh start. Our new identity captures the essence of AFS today, representing our energy, our vibrant community, and our dedication to empowering the #innovation ecosystem. The next stages of our rebranding journey are just around the corner, and we can’t wait for you to experience the full transformation! We’re ready for what’s next. Are you? 🔥

Join us at TECHARENA 2025! 🔥 Later this week, Allied For Startups will be involved in two exciting side events at Techarena in Stockholm, Sweden. These panels are a must-attend for anyone passionate about the future of #innovation and the European #startup ecosystem! 🟣 “Founders' Role in Shaping the European Startup Strategy” When: Thursday, 20 February, 14:00  Organisers: Allied for Startups, Swedish Incubators & Science Parks (SISP) Confirmed speakers:  🎤 MEP Arba Kokalari – European People's Party, European Parliament 🎤 Ana Catarina Araújo Silva – Vice-President, SPOT Nordic 🎤 Dan Zethraeus – CTO & Founder, Elonroad  🎤 Salla Franzén – Investment Manager, Industrifonden  🎤 Olivia Nestius - CEO, Graphmatech 🎤 Kalle Fahlvik – Startup Policy Officer, Allied For Startups 🎤 Stina Lantz, CEO, SISP - Swedish Incubators & Science Parks (moderator) Key topics:  ▪️ How to commercialise research and position it as a venture opportunity ▪️ Strategies to increase scale-up funding and patient capital in Europe ▪️ Key steps to make Europe the go-to destination for innovation investment Insights from the discussion will directly contribute to the European Commission’s ongoing consultations on the EU Startup and Scale-up Strategy - don’t miss it! 🟣 "Building a Competitive European Regulatory Framework" When: Friday, 21 February, 11:30  Organiser: Startup Portugal Key topics:  ▪️ Harmonising laws for startups and scaleups across Europe to create a unified, innovation-friendly environment  ▪️ Aligning regulations to unlock cross-border investment and promote sustainable growth ▪️ Streamlining policies to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness and attract global entrepreneurship Confirmed speakers:  🎤 João Silva, Head of Data & Tech and Public Policies, Startup Portugal 🎤 Vasco Pereira da Silva, Head of Policy, Allied for Startups 🎤 Ellinor Bokedal – Director, Strategic Communications & Policy, SISP - Swedish Incubators & Science Parks 🎤 Linda Capusa – Operations Director, ESNA - Europe Startup Nations Alliance If you’re attending #Techarena2025, be sure to add these side events to your schedule - we’d love to see you there! 🔗 Full Techarena agenda: https://lnkd.in/dhph-4x6

BIG moves for innovators in Europe! 🇪🇺 🙌 Today, our Director-General, Serena Borbotti-Frison, had the opportunity to participate in the launch of the European Startups and Scale-ups Forum - a platform for founders and innovators to engage directly with the European Commission. 💡 The Forum aims to identify the challenges founders and innovators face, and come up with solutions that will form the foundation of the EU Strategy on Startups and Scale-ups. 💬 Alongside Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva, Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen, and other key stakeholders, we discussed issues like access to finance, talent, markets, and regulatory frameworks - critical topics for driving Europe's #innovation forward. Now it’s your turn! As of today, you’ll have the opportunity to submit your feedback to the public consultation on the EU Startup & Scale-up Strategy, for the next four weeks. Your insights will help shape the initiative and, as a result, create a stronger innovation ecosystem in Europe. 🗣️ Make your voice heard: https://lnkd.in/exU-xmFx

The European Commission’s withdrawal of the SEPs (Standard Essential Patents) proposal is a concerning step backward for #startups, #innovation, and fair #competition in Europe. European startups rely on accessible and transparent SEP licensing to build and scale the groundbreaking technologies of the future. Without clear and fair rules, they face legal uncertainty, higher costs, and more barriers to market entry. It is difficult to square this withdrawal with the EU's commitment to fostering a competitive and innovative startup ecosystem. The proposal was an opportunity to introduce much-needed transparency and balance in SEP licensing. Its withdrawal leaves startups in limbo, while the risks that led to the proposal in the first place remain. We urge the European Commission to reconsider this withdrawal, keep startups at the table and ensure that the next steps foster innovation rather than stifle it. Europe’s tech ecosystem deserves fair, predictable, and pro-innovation rules to deliver the growth and innovation that we all want. 🔗 Full Commission Work programme and annexes: https://lnkd.in/gXrF3suP

🇪🇺 The Commission 2025 Work Programme is out! Today, the European Commission presented its Work Programme, detailing key legislative and non-legislative initiatives for the year ahead. The keyword? Simplification. Among the 51 policy proposals, several stand out as particularly relevant for #startups and #scaleups: Q1 🔹 AI Factories boosting competitive AI ecosystems in Europe  🔹 Union of Skills Q2 🔹 Single Market Strategy  🔹 Third Omnibus Package on Investment Simplification  🔹 EU Start-up and Scale-up Strategy  🔹 Communication on a Savings and Investments Union Q4 🔹 Digital Networks Act  🔹 Digital Package The Commission’s ambitions are bold - more #competitiveness, less bureaucracy. But will European businesses actually feel the difference? That’s the real question. As these initiatives take shape, we’ll be closely monitoring developments and actively engaging with policymakers to push for a regulatory environment where startups can thrive. Stay tuned! Check out the Work Programme factsheet below 👇 🔗 Discover the full Work Programme and annexes: https://lnkd.in/gXrF3suP

Yesterday, at the Business Day - AI Action Summit, we had the privilege of hosting a roundtable on the EU’s Startup & Scale-up Strategy - just ahead of the official launch of the official consultation. During the session, we explored the essential measures needed for Europe to compete globally and drive the next wave of innovation in #AI and #deeptech. Together, we tackled some of the most pressing challenges facing European innovators: ✅ Scaling & funding – how can we bridge the gap with the US in access to capital? ✅ Regulatory barriers – the need for harmonised rules and startup-friendly policies. ✅ Talent – making Europe more competitive in attracting top talent, from stock options to visa reforms. ✅ Public procurement & market access – strengthening Europe's global tech leadership. A huge thank you to our brilliant speakers: 🎤 Amaryllis Verhoeven, Acting Director (GROW.G), European Commission 🎤 Agata C. Hidalgo, European Affairs Lead, France Digitale  🎤 Philippe Notton, Co-Founder and CEO, SiPearl And a special thank you to Agata Hidalgo and the entire France Digitale team for their incredible support in organising the event. Additionally, a big shoutout to our Head of Policy, Vasco Pereira da Silva, for moderating the discussion. This roundtable marks the first of many in our #AFSTour – be sure to keep an eye out for more of our exciting sessions at major startup and tech conferences across Europe! 🤘

Allied for Startups is #hiring! 🚀 Passionate about the intersection of tech, #startups, and policy? Want to dive into the global startup landscape and make an impact? Allied for Startups is looking for a driven Junior Tech & Digital Policy Officer to help us connect policymakers with the #innovation ecosystem! What we offer: ✅ Building expertise and expanding your network within the tech, digital, startup and policy industry; ✅ Hands-on experience engaging with policymakers, industry leaders, and other stakeholders; ✅ 6-month contract (CIP) with potential for a long-term contract. If you're ready for the challenge, we want to hear from you! 🎯 📩 Apply now by sending your CV and motivation letter to hello@alliedforstartups.

Can Europe keep pace in the global #tech race? 🇪🇺 🤔 Join us next week at the Business Day, an integral part of the #AIActionSummit, where we’ll be hosting an exclusive roundtable, titled “EU Startup & Scaleup Strategy: Competing in the Global Tech Race.” During the session, we’ll dive into the EU’s upcoming Startup and Scaleup Strategy, exploring the essential measures needed for Europe to compete globally and drive the next wave of innovation in #AI and #deeptech. The discussion will be followed by a networking lunch co-organised with France Digitale - the perfect chance to connect with fellow innovators. 🤝 🗓️ 11 February, 12:00 pm 📍 Station F, Paris  🔗 Learn more: ai-business-day.org See you at Station F! 👋

🎉 We’re happy to welcome Vasco Pereira da Silva as the new Head of Policy at Allied for Startups! With a PhD in Public Policy, and a remarkable track record in legal and European affairs, Vasco is here to guide our activities with strong policy leadership. His career featured key roles in government offices - including working in the Cabinet of Prime Minister António Costa during the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the EU. More recently, he was a Counsellor and a member of the coordination team at the Permanent Representation of Portugal to the EU. We’re thrilled to work with Vasco to amplify our impact and empower innovators in Europe and across the globe. Welcome onboard, Vasco! 🚀

Today, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented the #CompetitivenessCompass - a policy roadmap for boosting #innovation, simplifying regulation, and reigniting the European economy in the next 5 years. While we are optimistic about the Compass, we believe that more should be done to place #startups at its core. Therefore, we call on the EU and Member States to: ➡️ Be bold: shift from regulation to innovation leadership.  ➡️ Act fast: secure an interinstitutional agreement to speed up the main initiatives proposed in the Compass. ➡️ Deregulate: pause or remove outdated legislation that are creating obstacles. ➡️ Coordinate: align EU institutions, Member States, industry, and society. ➡️ Think ahead: invest in foresight and build capacity to tackle emerging issues. The Competitiveness Compass points Europe in the right direction, and we are ready to work with the Commission to achieve its goals. Now, let’s turn this vision into reality - stay tuned for more! 🚀 Read our full position below ⬇️ #Startups #Scaleups #EURegulation #Competitiveness Danske Iværksættere - Danish Entrepreneurs, Dutch Startup Association, Roma Startup, France Digitale, Startup Poland, The S9+ Coalition, SISP - Swedish Incubators & Science Parks, Scale-Ups.eu, Estonian Founders Society, Startup Portugal, Adigital, Tech Barcelona, Asociación Española de Startups (Spanish Startups Association), AustrianStartups, BESCO - The Bulgarian Entrepreneurial Association, InnovUp, SAPIE - Slovak Alliance for Innovation Economy, Italian Tech Alliance, Startup Greece, Latitude59, Startup Hungary