SME Assembly 2022 – Day 1

The O2 Universum was the first stop for the SME Envoy network, which brought together envoys from across the EU to promote SME-friendly regulation and policy-making in all EU countries.  The delegates discussed how SME cooperatives could thrive during these challenging times.

At SME Assembly 2022, there is an expo which showcases some of the best and most innovative projects from Czech businesses.

The SME Assembly delegates enjoyed an exciting visit to the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA). Market and user intelligence, support, officer creation and innovation are just a few of the reasons why SMEs should be innovating with EUSPA, which supports startups to develop solutions, connect with investors, get advice and find customers.

In case you haven’t heard about the EU’s activities in space, it includes (among others) Galileo, the global satellite navigation positioning system (GNSS) & EGNOS, which makes navigation signals more accurate and trustable for safety critical application.

The highlight of Day 1 was the Schumpeter’ Innovation in Enterprise’ Lecture. Professor Luc Soete took the stage at the Municipal house of Prague to give his presentation, which debated the role that small and medium enterprises play as essential drivers of innovation and growth.

Dr Soete’s speech focused on the importance which innovative SMEs play in being engines of transformation for the European economy. The Dean of the Brussels School of Governance asked whether there is today a shortage of new ideas/knowledge on how to achieve sustainable development, or is there rather a shortage of innovative entrepreneurs willing to take risks, and who are prepared, in periods of great uncertainty, to challenge incumbents who are often locked into fossil-fuel modes of production playing for time to write off their capital.

“We do not need political activists gluing themselves to old paintings, but need Schumpeterian entrepreneurs gluing themselves to new ideas,” said Prof. Soete

Professor Soete believes that SMEs and entrepreneurs have a key role in bringing new ideas and innovative ways of thinking to sustainability challenges, which threaten our environment.

You can find all about Professor Soete here.

Follow us online for day 2 of the SME Assembly 2022.