Events to look out for
1st INNOLABS healthcare ideas contest event: 2-3 May, Barcelona, Spain. Are you a small business, entrepreneur or start-up with an idea or solution related to mHealth, ageing population, or personalised healthcare? You can submit your project, pitch to experts and take the chance to win up to EUR 17,500 at the INNOLABS event. Apply by 19 April 2017.
Innovation Biocamp: 23-28 July, Yorkshire, UK. Apply now for €7000 worth of fully funded, specialist training. This training week will give biobased companies the tools they need to commercialise and grow their idea. The week culminates in a live pitch to investors. Biobased companies from the Interreg North West Europe area are encouraged to apply for a place at the Innovation Biocamp until 19 May 2017.
Funding available
Juncker Plan supports 400 micro-businesses in Luxembourg. The European Investment Fund (EIF) and microlux, a microfinance institution, have signed the first agreement to support micro-businesses in Luxembourg. With the financial backing of the European Commission, EIF is providing a guarantee that will enable microlux to provide EUR 5 million in loans to around 400 micro-businesses in Luxembourg, over the next three years.
Funding available for Seal of Excellence holders in Italian Marche Region. Small businesses who have received the Seal of Excellence for Phase 2 of the Horizon 2020 SME Instrument and are based in the Italian Marche Region can now apply for a regional grant.
Investment Plan for Europe unlocks EUR 130 million in financing for small businesses in Hungary. The EIF and Erste Bank have signed a COSME agreement that will allow Erste Bank to provide HUF 40 billion (ca. EUR 130 million) in loans to small and medium-sized Hungarian businesses.
EU policies for better business
New European rules for medical devices. The European Parliament adopted new rules for medical devices to improve patient protection and transparency. Among other novelties, the rules will also provide more transparency and legal certainty for producers, manufacturers and importers.
End of roaming charges: European Parliament approves wholesale roaming prices. The vote by the European Parliament last week means when travelling in the EU, consumers will be able to call, send SMS or surf on their mobile at the same price they pay at home. More details on end of roaming charges are available in this FAQ.
European Commission imposes anti-dumping duties on hot-rolled flat steel from China. The European Commission decided last week to impose definitive anti-dumping duties on imports of hot-rolled flat steel products from China. The new antidumping duties will range between 18.1% and 35.9%. These new measures will shield the EU steel producers from the damaging effects of Chinese dumping during an initial period of five years.
EU and Norway conclude negotiations to enhance trade of agricultural products. The European Union and Norway came to an agreement last week, which will facilitate bilateral trade in agricultural products. The agreement will allow EU exporters to reinforce their position on their 8th largest export market for agricultural products.
European Commission addresses regulatory barriers for innovators by signing first Innovation Deal. The Innovation Deals are an instrument to help innovators facing regulatory obstacles to innovation in the existing EU legislative framework. Last week, the European Commission, together with 14 partners from national and regional authorities, universities, knowledge centres, innovators and end-users, signed the first Innovation Deal in the field of water reuse.
Get involved
Public stakeholder consultation for Youth and Young Scientists: preparing the future of Horizon 2020. The European Commission is gathering young researchers’ opinion on the Horizon 2020 programme, the EU’s biggest research and innovation programme.