Can summarised corporate information help in solving financing issues of European SMEs?
In 2024, the Eurogroup inclusive format (informal body of economic and finance ministers from EU member states) issued a statement that Europe is at risk of falling behind globally in competitiveness, growth, and prosperity. EU needs a capital market that can direct both domestic savings and foreign capital into innovative companies, enabling them to become engines of long-term growth and global leadership in new industries. The robust banking sector currently carries the bulk of financing needs for businesses, however, to meet substantial future financial needs, market-based funding opportunities must become more widely and readily available in Europe. Capital Markets Union (CMU) progress has been made, but the EU still lacks a deep and well-functioning market for risk capital, especially for start-ups and scale-ups. As a possible piece in the puzzle to solve the financing of start-ups and scale-ups, the European Commission has asked EFRAG to assess whether a voluntary template on key information of start-ups and scale-ups.
At this symposium a panel will discuss whether publicly available key information of SMEs (including start-ups and scale-ups could help attracting finance) – and if so, what type of information is relevant to provide for start-ups and scale-ups in their different phases and what lessons can be learned from the development of the VSME standard (on voluntary sustainability information).
Opening
Saskia Slomp | EFRAG CEO
Presentation
Rasmus Sommer | EFRAG FR Associate Director
Moderator
Joachim Gassen | Humboldt University of Berlin
Panellists
Chiara Del Prete | EFRAG SR TEG Chair
Martin Frývaldský | CEO Warhorse Studios
Valentina Guatri | Public Affairs/ESG Manager Invest Europe
Schedule
Date | Time: Friday 29 May 2026 11:00 – 12:30
Location: RB 101 (Rajská Building)
