Europe’s SMEs Join Forces With Microsoft to Accelerate Innovation and Growth
The European ICT sector will create 1.5 million new jobs over the next four years, a third of them in the Microsoft ecosystem.
BRUSSELS, Belgium — 6 June 2006 — A new study today released by IDC shows that the European ICT sector will create 1.5 million new jobs over the next four years, 60 per cent of them software related. One in three of these jobs will be in businesses building on the Microsoft® platform. The study also shows that in Europe today, 250,000 companies, employing 2.5 million people, have built their businesses on the Windows® operating system.
Most of these companies are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and, taken as a whole, they boast total European revenues eight times larger than Microsoft’s. SMEs are recognised as the growth engine of the European economy: there are around 22 million SMEs in Europe, employing close to 120 million people and contributing 57 per cent to Europe’s GDP. If SMEs can be encouraged to adopt new technologies more rapidly and helped to create innovative products more competitively, then Europe’s position as a leading player in the global economy can be assured.
Today, Microsoft is bringing together successful business innovators, venture capitalists, entrepreneurs and governments from all over Europe to provide a 360-degree view of how SMEs can drive innovation and growth in Europe.
“The SME sector is the growth engine of the economy and that is where we all need to invest in order to drive growth and benefit local economies. We are a supportive partner and this is shown by the many people here at SME Day,” said Microsoft International President Jean-Philippe Courtois. ”Our partners in Europe are taking the Windows platform and adding value, creating eight times the revenue of Microsoft itself in the region. Where the ecosystem operates, it brings innovation and efficiency and creates real value for local companies and local economies.”
The IDC study also shows that ICT is the fastest growing sector of the European economy, and is likely to remain so for the foreseeable future.
“The ICT sector is a success story for Europe and the many entrepreneurs present here today have important lessons to teach us on how to grow innovative and successful businesses in Europe,” said Courtois.
“Microsoft and our 250,000 European business partners have a symbiotic relationship. Our platform enables their innovation and growth which in turn drives us to further develop the platform.” said Jean-Philippe Courtois. “What we can see here today is how vital SMEs in the technology sector are in Europe. This is a sector that is growing and innovating fast.”
Sharing Innovation
Today Microsoft has also announced two IP Ventures agreements — with British company Skinkers and Irish company Vimio — that will bring major innovations to the market through the use of Microsoft’s cutting-edge intellectual property. These are the first spin-offs of Microsoft research developed in a European lab and a major step forward in Microsoft’s strategy of sharing its R&D with talented entrepreneurs throughout Europe. IP Ventures is a Microsoft programme dedicated to bringing customer-ready technology to emerging businesses for immediate business benefit and customer use.
Access to EU Funding
With limited resources and small budgets, SMEs often face a significant challenge financing their innovations and growth. The EU has made funding available in the form of grants, but it is often difficult to access because of the complex processes involved. Together with HP, Intel and other local consortium partners, through the EU Grants Advisor (EUGA) programme, Microsoft is helping SMEs access and leverage available funding for which they may be eligible.
Just one year after its launch, EUGA has already helped SMEs in Europe identify more than 10,000 funding opportunities and has benefited over 114,000 SMEs. Of the €117 billion of EU funding available, €383 million has been so far disbursed through EUGA. Already, 613 jobs have been generated and over 93,000 people are being trained in Europe as a result of better access to EU funding for SMEs.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realise their full potential.
About Microsoft EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa)
Microsoft has operated in EMEA since 1982. In the region Microsoft employs more than 12,000 people in over 55 subsidiaries, delivering products and services in more than 139 countries and territories.
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Notes to editors
More information on EUGA is available at www.microsoft.com/emea/euga
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