I recently participated to an entrepreneur’s parliament. 300 entrepreneurs and 4 politicians were gathered to discuss positive and constructive recommendations for helping the Belgian government through the crisis on a Sunday afternoon. The least you can say is that those 4 men were very brave facing a tough crowd of entrepreneurs who feel Europe has little or no faith in them despite their efforts. Especially taking into account that small entrepreneurs account for the biggest part of local employment. 65% in my own country Belgium.
Europe is all about innovation, creativity and start-ups. Very nice. We have many institutions supporting new companies and even more forms of grants and funds that can be allocated to new businesses and developping business ideas. Research and development clearly matters to Europe, and that’s a good thing.
However when it comes to choosing investments, it seems that Europe has adopted a logic of its own. It isn’t keen on funding existing companies. That’s odd and a bit counterproductive, I might add. Europe often taxes former protégés to finance the grants that will support new ones instead of further investing in it’s existing entrepreneurial patrimony. Why? Does Europe no longer believe in the business potential of those organizations?
My fellow entrepreneurs and I believe Europe should make the best of what’s already in place. There’s a huge opportunity to create win-wins for all involved! Imagine that governments lend capital to existing companies, allowing them to further develop their business and at the same time obliging them to invest half of the money into employment. Next, companies could than pay back the government loan, including a share of the profit as a return on investment. Seems only fair. Everyone would benefit. Right?
Any crisis is an opportunity. Let’s not waste it. Focus on entrepreneurship and let small companies flourish. They are the foundations on which we have built our society. I’m sure that if governments were to invest in those, it would not only result in job creation but also bigger profits and eventually a better life for everyone.
What is your opinion?
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