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Get ready to embark on the inaugural edition of the DIGITAL SME summit, taking place on Monday 13th November 2023, in Brussels & online
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The summit will give the opportunity to SMEs to be heard as pivotal actor of the sustainable digitalization, contributing to a new paradigm for a fairer, more open and inclusive Digital Society
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Across a series of debates with high-profile speakers, a pitching session and much more, SMEs from across Europe will connect with leading voices from business, policy, academia and civil society
On 13th November 2023, the European DIGITAL SME Alliance will hold the first edition of the DIGITAL SME summit, taking place at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in Brussels and online. The event will be an opportunity to connect European digital SMEs and representatives from EU and international institutions, industry associations, researchers, journalists and many more stakeholders.
The summit will make the case for a new paradigm for a Digital Society fit for the 21st century, building on the strategic role of innovative European SMEs to put Europe at the forefront of technological development. At times of complex geopolitical, socio-economic and environmental challenges, emerging digital technologies cannot be left in the hands of few, powerful global players.
For all European industrial ecosystems to embrace their digital transformation journey, Europe needs to be a leader in developing digital solutions, strategically leveraging on bottom-up innovation coming from SMEs’ power force, as they remain the backbone of the continent´s economy.
The one-day summit will provide a unique platform to explore the pivotal role of SMEs as digital enablers and catalysts of sustainable digitalization, driving Europe’s twin transition. Featuring a series of debates, organised in five panels, the event will focus on:
- The Artificial Intelligence Revolution
- The path to a Sustainable Digitalisation
- Competition in Digital Markets
- The European Year of Skills 2023
- Europe-led Innovation
The event will see the participation of several high-level speakers, including Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission; Kersti Kaljulaid, former President of Estonia (2016 – 2021); Tommaso Valletti, Former Chief Competition Economist at the European Commission and Professor of Economics at Imperial College Business School; Kilian Gross, Head of Unit for AI Policy Coordination and Development at the European Commission (DG CNCT), Francesca Bria, President of the Italian Innovation Fund, Dr. Oliver Grün, President of the European DIGITAL SME Alliance and Sebastiano Toffaletti, Secretary General of the European DIGITAL SME Alliance.
A pitching session will also be organised in collaboration with the European Commission (DG GROW), for companies to create new business synergies and collaborations. The session will not only provide an opportunity for selected companies to showcase their digital solutions, but also to explore potential partnerships between the private and public sectors.
As a true recognition of ICT SMEs’ impact in the European context, DIGITAL SME will present the first edition of the Sustainable Digitalisation Awards. Winning companies will be selected by an independent jury, and the chosen criteria will take into consideration their positive impact in one of three available categories: environmentally sustainable practices, positive societal impact or promotion of digital skills.
The 2023 DIGITAL SME summit has been conceived as a unique event dedicated to SMEs, taking place in the heart of Europe. DIGITAL SME is committed in forging a space where companies can exchange ideas, share interests, and build a fairer and more inclusive ecosystem for all markets’ participants.
Reserve a seat for the DIGITAL SME summit today, register here!
Thank you to our sponsors: Skillnet Ireland and Newen – Data Control Energy
