Brussels, 16/01/2013 (Agence Europe) - Technological entrepreneurship should be encouraged in Europe and the European Commission intends to introduce measures to do just that, states Digital Agenda Commissioner Neelie Kroes in her blog. She underlines that Europe needs innovation to revive growth and that, in particular young, entrepreneurs need an action plan to develop their ideas in an appropriate environment. She added: “Today's economic crisis has bought home the reality that the life-long stable jobs which my generation and my children's generation took for granted, are no more. This is a tough reality, but also one filled with exciting possibilities for those with the courage and the right support to dream and create their own futures. Tech and web entrepreneurs are some of those inspirational creators”.
Over the next few weeks, the Commissioner is planning to launch a European “Leaders' Club” of European entrepreneurs based around a handful of global leaders in this field who can act as a model to young web entrepreneurs seeking to get started in this area, while providing the Commission with advice about its strategy for consolidating entrepreneurship in Europe. Kroes indicated that, over the next few months, the Commission would be setting up a European network of web business accelerators; supporting a European network of crowd-funding platforms and helping it to provide support, visibility and interconnectivity among existing EU crowd-funding platforms specialised in web start-ups; and encouraging venture capital investment in web-businesses. To promote young European talent, the Commissioner highlights education with online courses open to all, as well as programmes and resources for bartering, acceleration and incubation, as well as mentoring. She also emphasises the “Europioneers” initiative, organised in partnership with the international information technologies “Next Web” site launched in December to identify and reward the most innovative and cutting-edge tech-entrepreneurs. Two categories are now open for nominations: one will be organised for entrepreneurs under the age of 30 and the other for those aged over 30. Nominations can be submitted until 14 February. A jury will then select 5 final nominees from a short list and the awards will be presented in April. Kroes emphasises that “we need to celebrate the success of our tech Europioneers who will inspire future generations”. (IL/transl.fl)