SME EUROPE Conference on “Coworking Europe, an Alternative Way of Operating for SMEs and Entrepreneurs”
On Wednesday, 4th of December, the SME Europe of the European People’s Party has organized a conference on the coworking spaces phenomenon in Europe, with the title: “Coworking Europe, an Alternative Way of Operating for SMEs and Entrepreneurs”. The event has been organised in collaboration with the European Commission in the context of its Startup Europe initiative.
The meeting was attended by leaders of the coworking spaces communities, entrepreneurs and policy makers and the aim of it was: raising awareness on the concept of coworking spaces and their role in promoting new technologies and the entrepreneurship culture in Europe; discussing and proposing ways to grow the number of coworking spaces in Europe and the value added of connecting them Europe-wide. It was also an occasion for the launching of the Startup Europe coworking spaces assembly, which will federate the biggest community of coworking spaces across Europe.
Othmar Karas MEP, Vice-President of the European Parliament, provided the opening message with explaining the importance of the issue from the point of view of SMEs and entrepreneurship.
The event was moderated by Nadezhda Neynsky MEP, President of SME Europe of the EPP.
Neelie Kroes, Commissioner for Digital Agenda and Vice-President of the European Commission, provided a video message in which she welcomed this initiative. She said that Europe needs innovations, therefore professionalism in start-ups. The resources and recognition have to be given to entrepreneurs. She stated the importance of sharing not only of spaces but also professional programs.
Jean Yves Huwart from Coworking Net gave a definition of coworking in general, shared some data and an introduction to the Startup Europe Coworking Spaces assembly. He spoke about the history, evolution and challenges of this phenomenon.
Claudio Vandi from Silicon Sentier gave a broader view of what Numa is and the different activities around La Cantine & Silicon Sentier and the place of Coworking in all this. He talked about what make special the coworking spaces, stressing the public-private-people interaction.
Christoph Fahle presented the activities around Betahaus. According to him, SMEs need the elimination of barriers for creating coworking spaces.
Panni Klementz from LOFFICE shared her experience and best professional practices. She said that Coworking centers are perfect places for start-ups of since it is giving possibilities of easy networking. The contact to local authorities is highly important as they should help start-ups in their establishing process.
Ramon Suarez gave an insight on his coworking activities in Betacowork Coworking Brussels. While speaking about the challenges and growth of starting enterpreneurs, he stated that co-workers need a closer contact and cooperation with administration and decision makers as well as understanding which levels of administration are the contact points to decision makers.
The speeches have been followed by a discussion with the participants
Gallery “Coworking Europe, an Alternative Way of Operating for SMEs and Entrepreneurs”