From EU Digital Strategy to SME Reality:
Empowering SMEs to Deliver Europe’s Competitiveness and Digital Capability

This high-level forum hosted by SME Connect brings together policymakers, innovators, practitioners, and ecosystem actors to explore how Europe can better translate its digital ambitions into tangible outcomes for SMEs. The discussion will focus on the implementation gap between EU digital strategy and SME reality, examining what works in practice, where barriers remain, and how digital and AI solutions can strengthen SME competitiveness, resilience, and growth across Europe.

Particular attention will be given to:

• • practical SME adoption of digital and AI solutions
• • lessons from implementation on the ground
• • barriers linked to skills, financing, fragmentation, and access to support
• • the role of public-private collaboration in scaling impact for SMEs

Mastercard Strive EU innovators and SME practitioners will contribute practical case studies and implementation experiences from developing and scaling digital solutions for Europe’s micro- and small businesses, helping ground the discussion in operational realities and scalable lessons.

Disclaimer: Please note that a photographer and video crew will be present during the event. By registering for and attending this event, you agree to appear in photographs and video recordings captured during the event and to the use of these materials for communication and promotional purposes by Caribou, Mastercard Strive EU, the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, and their partners.