Future 500 platform aims to boost European start-ups amid global challenges
- A new platform called Future 500 was launched in Bled, Slovenia, to support fast-growing companies in Europe.
- The platform will identify and accelerate the growth of 500 promising businesses from Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe, as well as the wider EU.
- This initiative is a response to the need for Europe to unify and strategically invest in its entrepreneurial landscape.
In Slovenia, before the Bled Strategic Forum, a new initiative was unveiled to support burgeoning companies across Europe. This event, held in Bled, featured European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Sikela, who emphasized the need for collaboration to tackle pressing issues like climate change, geopolitical conflicts, and economic competition. The Future 500 platform is designed to identify and accelerate the growth of 500 of the fastest-growing firms from Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe, as well as the broader EU. The initiative is led by the Atlantic Council, in partnership with the IEDC - Bled School of Management, the Bled Strategic Forum, the Podim conference, and the Institute for Strategic Solutions. This collaboration aims to leverage resources and networks to transform small-scale enterprises into global champions, addressing the economic future of Europe. The first list of selected companies is anticipated to be released on September 1, 2026, which reflects the long-term vision of the initiative. The Slovenian Minister of Economy, Tourism, and Sports, Matjaž Han, stated during the launch that fostering entrepreneurship is vital for Europe's development. The launch was also notable for the attendance of significant political figures, such as Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, highlighting the forum's importance in the European context.