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Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)

Entrepreneurs – Where to get support

2nd chance entrepreneurs in action

It is never late to act. In this page you will find places where you can get support and some basic advice that will help you start getting on top of things.

Some advice

Plan and monitor your affairs, so you can spend your time and money on the right things and identify early enough when you need a fundamental change in strategy

Don't ignore risks - try to control them. Is your company strong enough - especially financially - to overcome its first few lean periods? Try to keep a contingency fund available for unforeseen events. Identify and reduce crucial risk factors, such as dependencies on a single supplier or specific environmental circumstances

Not everything works first time. There is nothing wrong or shameful about not getting everything right 1st time. Many successful businesses struggled in their early days. Successful entrepreneurs might not be infallible, but they do respond early to unexpected developments - so you need to plan for these.

Capitalise on the experience of others. Talk to as many successful entrepreneurs as possible... and to as many who failed. Ask as many questions as you can, so you can learn from their mistakes

Make sure you get support. Don't be afraid to ask for help, cultivate professional as well as personal networks, use any available advisory services for business start-ups. Also, does your family approve of your plans? Successful entrepreneurs realise that things do not run smoothly all the time and are prepared for the unexpected.

Where to get support

Support, in a variety of forms, is available throughout Europe. The portal "Your Europe" provides information on where to find support  close to your home.

If you need specific assistance, the Enterprise Europe Network, with more than 600 member organisations across the EU and beyond, helps small business to make the most of the European marketplace. They include chambers of commerce and industry, technology centres, universities and development agencies and can provide an overview of the support available at a local level.

Click a blue-coloured country to discover where to get support.

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