Blog

As clean beauty is reshaping the cosmetics landscape, Four Starlings – a family-owned soap-making business in Poland – is gaining international recognition. We spoke with Grzegorz Sienkiewicz, Managing Director of Four Starlings, and Anna Wrzesińska, Chief Specialist for International Cooperation at Podlaska Regional Development Foundation and Business Adviser at the Polish branch of Enterprise Europe Network, to find out how the Network helped turn this small company into a global success story.

The Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) turns 15 this year. To celebrate this milestone, join us for a conversation with two proud ambassadors of the Network. European Commission’s Deputy Director-General, Maive Rute, and Natalia Martínez Páramo, Head of Unit at the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) share their views on the Network’s success and way forward.

More women than ever are leading small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), a promising shift toward greater inclusivity in business. Yet, female entrepreneurs still face significant challenges, including limited access to funding, persistent gender bias, and a lack of tailored support. The Enterprise Europe Network helps women overcome these barriers through expert guidance, practical tools, and international connections.

In 2018, a group of Greek farmers created Proud Farm Group of Farmers to promote sustainable sheep and goat farming with the help of new technologies. With support from business advisers at ANKO Western Macedonia – Organisation for Local Development, part of the Enterprise Europe Network, the company was able to turn its ambitious vision into reality.

How does Enterprise Europe Network support innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the tech sector? Our Network business advisers and three companies benefiting from their expert advice look back on their successful collaboration.

How can small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) create and nurture a culture of innovation? Read on to discover 7 key steps to help businesses build an innovative mindset and environment that fuels growth.

Finnish entrepreneurs Veera Ylikotila and Jenni Hakkarainen launched Xeraliving with a bold mission: to make the interior design industry more sustainable and transparent. The Enterprise Europe Network helped the company with advice on outsourcing, building international connections, and finding new partners. Hanna Riski, Senior Adviser at Business Finland, spoke with Veera about how this support helped Xeraliving succeed globally.

What is sustainable architecture and how can it help designers, architects, builders, and clients minimise harmful energy consumption and pollution? Katarína Jelenáková, Manager for International Cooperation and Support of SMEs at the Network partner Slovak Business Agency, interviewed architect and structural engineer Martin Pribila, the creator of the "Krtkodom" concept. This alternative housing solution uses less land and energy while promoting a healthy, natural environment for its residents. Simple, sustainable, and successful, the Krtkodom is making a strong case for greener living.

Small businesses in Europe are facing unprecedented challenges. The war in Ukraine, combined with China's economic slowdown, the pandemic, and the climate crisis, is disrupting global supply chains and impacting industries from semiconductors to food. To help Europe recover quickly, it's essential to strengthen the resilience of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups, enabling them to bounce back from these crises.

As the Enterprise Europe Network enters a new framework period, we talked to Muriel de Grande, Head of Sector at the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA), to find out more about the Network’s exciting initiatives and plans for the future.