During the SME Assembly 2024, hosted in Budapest by the European Commission and the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU, the three finalists of the Youth Start-Up Competition (YSC) took an exciting step forward in their entrepreneurial journey with a visit to the Your Europe stand.

The YSC provides a platform for entrepreneurs aged 18-25 to showcase start-up ideas addressing urgent issues such as sustainability, social inclusion, and technological advancement. During the final awards ceremony, Frederico Mauritty from Portugal was crowned the winner for his innovative project, HidroQapa - you can learn more here. 

Frederico, along with fellow YSC finalists Jacques Mery de Montigny (France) and Anna Bíborka Nagypál (Hungary), explored the resources at the Your Europe stand. Guided by Charlotte Woolfson, Policy Officer at DG GROW - European Commission, the finalists discovered the invaluable tools available on the platform. From navigating cross-border regulations to unlocking EU-wide opportunities, they gained key insights into how Your Europe can support their growth and help them thrive in a competitive European market.

The Your Europe platform is the user interface of the Single Digital Gateway, offering citizens and businesses reliable information, online procedures, and access to assistance services across the EU. It covers a wide range of topics, including access to finance, taxation, selling in the EU, and product requirements, making cross-border activities within the EU simpler and more efficient.

But the journey doesn’t end here. In 2025, these young innovators will participate in tailored training designed to equip them with the skills to expand their ventures and make a lasting impact on the global stage.

Want to relive the highlights of the SME Assembly? Watch the highlights video here!