3 billion Euros on offer, and no bike industry companies have applied yet!

The EU’s SME Instrument is an accelerator programme offering support and funding to growing businesses. It has a pot of €3 billion to distribute as well as supporting services like finding clients, suppliers, and aid with business management. But so far cycling business have not taken part - the digital, automotive and energy sectors have all been huge beneficiaries – so why not cycling?

A new collaboration between ECF’s Cycling Industry Club and European Union experts offers businesses with up to 250 employees the chance to learn more about this international support for growing businesses, innovators, and entrepreneurs. This unique funding scheme is a business accelerator that offers equity-free funding, full support package, and a grant success rate often 3 times higher than comparable growth funding from other sources.

A comprehensive series of events and webinars at Eurobike will offer companies the chance to meet one of the EU’s senior experts in the field and network with other companies who are leading innovation and growth in cycling. Personal appointments with Executive Agency for Small and Medium Enterprises will also be available to participants after any of the following sessions.

The Connected Cycling Conference - Room Österreich [Tuesday 29th August, 10.30am] 

Specially targeted at innovators in the digital and connected cycling arena this session will highlight which parts of the digitised cycling industry can benefit from new funding and new business models. Oliver Kozak of the Executive Agency for Small and Medium Enterprises will be a key speaker and be available throughout the event to discuss how the EU can help digital innovators in the world of sports, leisure, and transport cycling.

Register now to participate!

EU funding for Industry: What’s available and how to influence it? – ADFC booth Entrance West [Wednesday 30th August, 2.30pm]

An interactive presentation and discussion (in English and German) about the way the EU supports business with financing at the booth of Allgemeiner Deutscher Fahrrad-Club (ADFC). Special focus on the potential for German companies to benefit from international support.

The Accelerator Workshop: Fast track to growth for cycling SMEs and Start-ups. – Room Rom [Wednesday 30th August, 5-6pm]

This interactive workshop for innovators, start-ups, small and medium companies offers a practical exchange on the issues faced by entrepreneurs, starting from great ideas through to growing an established company.

Leaders who have grown their companies from start-ups will be on hand to share ideas, as will EU experts. But what we really need is people with ideas, energy and challenges to overcome who see the potential for growth in new cycling businesses – making the bike industry great again!

The SME Instrument: how to get into the EU’s €3billion fund and support package for small and medium businesses – Room Rom [Thursday 30th August, 3.30-4.30pm]

Oliver Kozak of the Executive Agency for Small and Medium Enterprises will present specific details and lead a discussion about how cycling companies can become beneficiaries of the EU’s €3 billion SME instrument. This unique funding scheme is a business accelerator that offers equity free funding, full support package, and a success rate often 3 times higher than comparable growth funding from other sources.

Also at Eurobike – the ECF Cycling Industry Club Program

The Advocacy Summit [Thursday 31st August]

At the Advocacy Summit, the European Cyclists’ Federation will show how industry sponsored lobbying has been shifting the market in some key cities and countries around Europe and where future market “hot-spots” are emerging. For example, great progress in political support is being made in France where President Macron signed a pro-cycling pledge during his election campaign and the Paris Mayor is leading the way towards a car free city. The Advocacy Summit is focussing attention on how this can be replicated across the continent.

Register now to attend and learn the real value of advocacy for the industry!

The Leader’s Ride [Wednesday 30th August 2017]

The ECF Cycling Industry Club and ADFC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Fahrrad-Club) invite company Owners, Presidents, CEOs and Senior managers to join them for the annual VIP ride and networking event to celebrate the opening of the show and show support for growing cycling in Germany and the whole of Europe. This event routinely attracts the top management from the world’s major companies, be there to connect with Accell, PON, Cycleurope, Shimano, SRAM, Bosch and many others. Assemble at Friedrichshafen Station from 7.30 for breakfast, riding at 8 for arrival at the Messe approximately 8.45 am. Bikes are provided on request. 

Register now to cycle with the most powerful leaders of the cycling world!