About Enterprise Europe Network (EEN)
The Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) is the world's largest support network for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with international ambitions. Launched by the European Commission in 2008, it brings together more than 550 member organizations in over 50 countries and offers tailored advisory services on accessing international markets, funding opportunities, and partnerships for innovation. EEN connects businesses with potential partners for technology transfer, collaborative research, and commercial ventures, helping them navigate regulatory requirements and find opportunities for expansion. By fostering cross-border collaborations and providing access to expertise, EEN plays a key role in helping European SMEs become more competitive and innovative on a global scale.
EEN Services & Capabilities
Internationalisation
Supporting businesses to enter international markets and to seize new commercial opportunities
EEN supports businesses to enter international markets and to seize new commercial opportunities through Joint Research & Development assistance for new business partnerships, Supply Chain Optimisation to secure worldwide suppliers, and Capitalising on Free Trade Agreements. Through International Network Partners, EEN provides advisory services on Innovation and Internationalisation, Exchange of Market Intelligence, Trade-Related Services, and Technology Transfer and IP Protection.
Access to Finance and EU funding
Helping businesses to identify sources of finance and ensuring the company is investor ready
EEN specializes in offering advice on various types of EU funding and other financing options, including Horizon Europe partnerships, European Regional Development Fund programmes, and public financial instruments. Services include Customised Financial Advice, Preparation for Funding, Networking Opportunities, Identifying Suitable EU Funding Programmes, Expert Guidance Through the Funding Process, Finding Research Partners, and Additional Business Innovation Strategies.
Supporting resilience
Empowering SMEs by building up their business agility and resilience to future challenges
Comprehensive Resilience Analysis and Support including Assessing Business Resilience and Concrete Strategies for Improvement. Strategic Resilience Areas cover Socio-Economic Resilience addressing inequalities and economic stability, Green Resilience focusing on climate change mitigation and sustainable resource use, Digital Resilience enhancing digital capabilities and cybersecurity, and Geopolitical Resilience managing raw material supplies and strengthening value chains.
Business, Technology and R&D Partnering
Matching companies with the right business partners and to promote new technologies globally
Personalized Consultation where EEN experts understand specific needs and evaluate readiness for international collaborations. Efficient Partner Search utilizing EEN's vast network and extensive online database of business opportunities. Access to Europe's largest online database of business opportunities with thousands of requests and offers from companies and R&D institutions. Ongoing Support ensuring successful partnerships.
Strengthening innovation
Enhancing businesses' potential to innovate, grow and develop disruptive products
Innovation awareness services include information on innovation-related policies and support programmes. Innovation capacity building provides one-to-one services including innovation audits and strategy, intellectual property rights advice, technology brokerage services, and access to finance for innovation. Innovation management supports businesses struggling with innovation management to plan and align innovation strategy with business processes.
Assisting with digitalisation
Helping SMEs tailor digital solutions to their business needs
EEN offers digitalisation services in collaboration with European Digital Innovation Hubs, digital clusters and Startup Europe initiatives. EEN ensures synergies among these actors through joint activities such as events, B2B, I2B, joint trade fair appearances, info sessions, and trainings. Client referrals for specialised services such as test-before-invest are also provided.
Navigation through the EU Single market
Helping businesses navigate EU legislations, policies and benefit from the opportunities offered by the EU Single Market
EEN assists businesses with selling and working in other countries, complying with EU standards including CE marking and REACH, discovering business opportunities in public sectors, intellectual property protection, and speaking up for businesses with the European Commission. EEN works with expert networks like Your Europe Advice and SOLVIT to provide comprehensive support for all EU single market issues.
Transition to sustainability
Guiding companies in their transition to more sustainable business models
EEN has specialised business advisors with expertise in sustainability-related matters, helping SMEs identify the best ways to benefit from sustainable business models. Specialised services include sustainable and circular business models, green technologies, energy and resource efficiency, waste and water management, sustainable finance, EU certification schemes, and EU legislation compliance. EEN helps companies save money through better energy efficiency and renewable energy sources.
Who is behind the network
EEN members are organisations that know the local business environment: chambers of commerce and industry, regional development organisations, universities and research institutes, and innovation agencies. Their advisors combine local knowledge with access to partners across the whole network, so a company can get support at home and still reach markets and partners abroad.
The network is funded through the EU's Single Market Programme and managed by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA).
EEN and EDIHs working together
EEN advisors cooperate closely with European Digital Innovation Hubs. While EDIHs focus on technical expertise, testing and training in digital technologies, EEN helps companies grow internationally, find partners and access funding. By combining both networks, the sme.support catalog lets you find the right support for your digital transformation in one place.
Get in touch with EEN
- Find the EEN services of partners in Central and Southeast Europe in the sme.support catalog.
- Look up your nearest advisor in the list of EEN local contact points.
- Search for business, technology and R&D partners in the partnering opportunities database.