DIGITALEUROPE says Europe needs faster funding, simpler rules and more ambitious public procurement to help technology scaleups grow. The organisation’s Director-General, Cecilia Bonefeld-Dahl, argues that capital alone will not resolve the difficulty of turning promising companies into global players. Its network includes 137 corporate members and 45 national trade associations across 30 European countries.
What is DIGITALEUROPE’s reach?
DIGITALEUROPE represents parts of Europe’s digital economy through corporate members and national trade associations. Its member organisations collectively encompass more than 56,000 businesses, mainly small and medium-sized enterprises. Those businesses work across AI and critical technologies, defence, health, energy, finance, mobility and the public sector. The network therefore connects technology companies with organisations in sectors that may use or depend on digital tools.
What does Bonefeld-Dahl say should change?
Bonefeld-Dahl identifies several conditions that she says would help European scaleups expand. These include quicker access to funding, less regulatory complexity and public procurement that is more ambitious. Public procurement means the way public bodies buy goods and services, so a stronger role for it could create more opportunities for suppliers. The source does not set out a specific procurement programme or timetable.
How did the organisation build its case?
The argument reflects a wider concern about Europe’s ability to turn promising technology businesses into global players. The source describes that challenge as persistent, while noting that Europe has promising companies. Bonefeld-Dahl’s position is that the issue is not simply whether capital exists, but also how quickly companies can reach it. She also calls for a greater willingness to take risks on European scaleups.
What does the membership data show?
DIGITALEUROPE says it has 137 corporate members and 45 national trade associations spanning 30 European countries. Its association network encompasses more than 56,000 businesses, mainly SMEs. The source also states that its members have invested €1.7 trillion in the US over the last few years. These figures describe the organisation’s stated reach and member activity, rather than a funding pool available to individual startups.
What remains unclear for founders?
The source does not name a new funding mechanism, proposed rule changes or a public procurement target. It also does not say which specific scaleups would benefit first, or how the organisation’s proposals would be implemented. For founders, the practical effect would depend on decisions by funders and public bodies. The next step to watch is whether the calls are followed by concrete policy or purchasing measures.
DIGITALEUROPE’s position combines access to finance with changes to rules and public purchasing. Bonefeld-Dahl says Europe should be more willing to support its own scaleups as they grow. The organisation’s published membership figures show the breadth of the network behind that argument.