Out of a record-breaking 442 entries in 29 participating countries, the national juries selected 15 as national winners in Category 1, titled 'Promoting the Entrepreneurial Spirit,' which recognises initiatives that champion essential entrepreneurial skills amongst groups including women and young people. From those 15, the Grand Jury [link to Jury article] have shortlisted three to progress to the next stage of the competition. 

The successful initiatives are: 

France: Pépite

Pépite was set up by the Ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche across France, to promote entrepreneurship amongst students and graduates. The programme has supported over 40,000 young entrepreneurs since its launch in 2014. By leveraging the expertise of higher education institutions and fostering connections with entrepreneurial mentors and partners, Pépite strengthens regional business environments whilst encouraging entrepreneurial ventures. 

Germany: Silicon Vilstal

In Germany, Silicon Vilstal gUG - the Social Economy Cluster, connects social enterprises and rural regions to foster practical entrepreneurship and innovation in rural areas. In real-world laboratories, social innovations are further developed and tested together, benefitting both the rural regional economic ecosystem and the social enterprises themselves by addressing the need for innovation solutions and enhancing rural economic resilience. 

Italy: NIDI – Nuove Iniziative D’Impresa

From Italy, the initiative NIDI – Nuove Iniziative D’Impresa of the Regione Puglia is a regional measure which provides financial support to new businesses, targeted at female and young entrepreneurs, those which hire 50% of their staff in disadvantaged employment situations, and in the regional tourist sector. Investments come in the form of non-repayable grants, zero interest loans, and bonuses to foster entrepreneurship and energise the local start-up ecosystem.

Stay tuned to the Promoting Enterprise Futurium and social media channels (LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X) to find out the winner of the rest of the categories, to be announced on 19 November at the awards ceremony during the SME Assembly in Budapest (Hungary).