“Choose Europe to Start and Scale,” the European Union’s latest strategy for business expansion

In May 2025, the European Commission presented a new roadmap to position Europe as a competitive environment for the birth and expansion of tech startups. This aims to remove barriers, attract talent, facilitate access to innovation, and connect innovation with the market.

Although it is primarily aimed at startups and scaleups deep tech, it is important to remember that many of them fall under the definition of SMEs. Therefore, this strategy also represents an opportunity for innovative SMEs, self-employed individuals with tech projects, and companies collaborating in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

According to the State of European Tech 2024 report, Europe has over 35,000 early-stage companies.

To ease the transition from initial laboratory testing to market, the plan “Choose Europe to Start and Scale” is introduced, based on the following five areas:

1. Reduction of bureaucracy and clear regulations.

• Bureaucratic procedures and legal fragmentation within Europe will be reduced.
• A European digital identity (European Business Wallet) will be created to simplify interactions with administrations.
• Companies will be able to test new innovative ideas in regulated and safe environments before launching them to the market (sandbox).

2. Greater access to financing.

• New European Funds will be launched and the European Innovation Council will be strengthened.
• A public-private fund (Scaleup Europe Fund) will be created to support tech companies in their growth.
• Large European investors will be encouraged to back local tech startups and SMEs.

3. Facilities for growth.

• The Blue Carpet initiative will be launched to improve training and education to attract and retain qualified talent from within and outside the European Union.
• Processes for hiring international staff will be simplified, especially founders from outside the European Union.
• The use of the Blue Card Directive (European blue card) for highly qualified workers will be promoted.

4. Easy access to resources and infrastructures.

• Startups will have easier access to laboratories, technological networks, and public research centres.
• Usage conditions will be harmonised to facilitate their utilisation in different countries.
• The goal is the development and commercialisation of products.

What does this mean for SMEs and freelancers?

Beyond startups, all SMEs with growth, digitalisation, or innovation ambitions can take advantage of the opportunities presented by this strategy:

• Access European financing through the EIC or the new Scaleup Europe Fund.

• Collaborate with startups and scaleups as service providers, project partners, or technological partners.

• Participate in research networks and knowledge transfer (Lab to Unicorn).

• Train and attract specialised talent through European programmes.

• Gain international visibility through European projects or participation in public tenders.

The business future in Europe will be increasingly collaborative, digital, and innovative. Initiatives like this allow the most dynamic SMEs to find institutional support to grow, internationalise, and participate in technological development.

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