Date: 28 January 2026
Time: 17:30 – 20:30
Location: European Parliament, Brussels
Host: MEP Victor Negrescu, Vice-President of the European Parliament
- This Evening Reception will convene leaders from the European Parliament, the European Commission, the private sector, and the small business community to celebrate the resilience of Europe’s small business ecosystem and advance digital and sustainable innovation
- The evening will feature a fireside discussion, a high-level panel, and a showcase of Mastercard Strive EU Innovation Fund Winners
- Participation is by invitation only and subject to registration confirmation
Overview
As Europe accelerates its digital and sustainable transition, micro- and small businesses — the backbone of the EU economy — continue to face significant barriers in adopting the innovative tools and capabilities they need to grow. While many have embraced online sales and digital channels, their digital maturity often remains limited, creating vulnerabilities such as rising exposure to cyberattacks and difficulties integrating new technologies like AI. Similarly, the sustainable transition presents challenges as micro-businesses work to meet evolving sustainability standards, understand reporting expectations, and identify the right pathways to act. Ensuring that micro-businesses can fully participate in Europe’s twin transitions is essential to competitiveness, resilience, and long-term economic growth.
The Evening Reception will bring together leaders from the European Parliament, the European Commission, the private sector, and the small business community to explore how to advance this agenda, particularly as EU institutions are preparing the forthcoming European Innovation Act. The evening will feature a fireside discussion, a high-level panel, and a showcase of Mastercard Strive EU Innovation Fund Winners. Discussions will draw on the latest evidence from the EU Small Business Digital Transformation Snapshot report and insights from the Mastercard Strive EU Innovation Fund Winners.
Event Focus: The EU Small Business Digital Transformation Snapshot
At the heart of this year’s discussion lies the EU Small Business Digital Transformation Snapshot — a rapid, cross-country study conducted across 23 EU Member States. The Snapshot captures the perspectives of over 1,300 small business owners on how they are navigating the digital and sustainable transition. It sheds light on the adoption of AI, cybersecurity, and sustainable technologies, as well as the barriers they face, the perceived returns on investment, and the support needs that shape Europe’s smallest enterprises — particularly microbusinesses, which often fall outside the scope of large-scale EU surveys.
The Snapshot complements EU-wide indicators and aims to fill a key evidence gap — supporting policymakers and stakeholders to better understand what it takes for small businesses to thrive in Europe’s evolving economy.
About the Mastercard Strive EU program
The Mastercard Strive EU program aims to boost the resilience and growth of Europe’s small business community by supporting new innovations that enable small businesses go digital, get capital, and access networks and know-how to navigate Europe’s twin transitions to a more digital and sustainable economy. The program is part of the global Mastercard Strive initiative, a portfolio of philanthropic programs supported by the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth that has reached over 19 million small businesses around the world since 2021.
This event is hosted by
Event Partner
Implementation Partner
Media Partner
Participation
Participation is by invitation only and subject to registration confirmation.
If you are unable to attend, you may nominate a colleague to represent your organisation.
For logistical or registration queries, please contact PubAffairs Bruxelles (Event Manager).
