One year after the Draghi Report, Europe is still falling behind. The gap to the US and China is widening. However, the solutions are within reach. That was the clear message as the S9+ coalition co-hosted the very first Policy Lounge at TechBBQ 2025.
Bringing together ministers, MEPs, founders, investors, civil servants, and decision-makers, the Policy Lounge created a unique space for open and concrete dialogue about how to make Europe a true home for innovation.
A Wake-Up Call for Europe
While the world’s tech economies surge ahead, Europe risks getting stuck in good intentions. As Danish Minister for Digital Affairs Caroline Stage Olsen put it:
“We have plenty of good intentions, but without implementation, even the best frameworks get irrelevant.”
On the Digital Fairness Act, she was clear that restricting targeted advertising should not be on the table. For startups and SMEs, access to data-driven marketing tools is not a luxury – it is survival.
The Urgency of Investment
Minister for European Affairs Marie Bjerre reminded the room that Europe’s problem is not a lack of vision, but a lack of speed:
“The EU has been too slow to emphasize technology. We need proper investments and political frameworks. If we fail to invest in tech, we will miss out on the biggest economic driver in the world.”
The Policy Lounge echoed this urgency: Europe must invest boldly in innovation, AI, and digital infrastructure if it is to close the gap.
The 28th Regime from Buzzword to Reality
Four MEPs – Morten Løkkegaard, Kira Marie Peter-Hansen, Niels Flemming Hansen, and Arba Kokalari – joined Simon Schaefer of EU-INC for a spirited debate on the 28th Regime.
The consensus was unmistakable: Europe needs a harmonized Single Market for startups. The challenge lies in the “how.” Several voices underlined that only a regulation – not a directive – can truly remove fragmentation and deliver a real European market for entrepreneurs.
Our Takeaways
The first Policy Lounge proved one thing: Europe does not lack great ideas. What we lack is simplification and harmonization.
- Startups and SMEs need predictable rules and open markets.
- The EU must invest in digital infrastructure to compete globally.
- A true Single Market for startups requires bold steps like the 28th Regime.
- The Danish EU Presidency is a chance to make competitiveness and innovation more than buzzwords – and turn them into guiding principles.
What’s Next?
For the S9+ coalition, the Policy Lounge is more than an event. It is a new platform for action, ensuring startup voices are heard at the highest levels of EU decision-making.
The message from TechBBQ is clear: Now comes the hard part. It’s time to turn good intentions into bold, decisive action.
A huge thank you to our partners, our S9+ members from across Europe, and everyone who joined us in pushing for a startup-friendly EU.