European Startup Public Association
Budget
€2,650,381
EP Access
1
accredited persons
Staff
9
6.1 FTE
EU Grants
€2,650,381
Mission & Goals
ESPA Fund is dedicated to supporting innovative startups, SMEs, and research-driven companies in accessing and effectively utilizing European Union funding opportunities. Our core mission is to bridge the gap between promising business ideas and EU financial instruments, ensuring that high-potential projects receive the resources and expertise needed to grow and scale internationally. We provide end-to-end consulting services covering: Identification and selection of relevant EU grant programmes and tenders. Formation and management of international consortia. Preparation, submission, and follow-up of grant applications. Administrative, financial, and legal support throughout project implementation. Guidance on compliance with EU regulations, audits, and reporting. Through our activities, ESPA contributes to fostering innovation, cross-border cooperation, and sustainable economic development in line with the priorities of the European Commission.
EU Legislative Interests
Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 laying down harmonised rules on artificial intelligence (Artificial Intelligence Act). Regulation (EU) 2023/2854 on harmonised rules on fair access to and use of data (Data Act). Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 on a Single Market for Digital Services (Digital Services Act) Regulation (EU) 2022/1925 on contestable and fair markets in the digital sector (Digital Markets Act). Regulation (EU) 2024/2847 on horizontal cybersecurity requirements for products with digital elements (Cyber Resilience Act). Directive (EU) 2022/2555 on measures for a high common level of cybersecurity across the Union. Regulation (EU) 2021/694 establishing the Digital Europe Programme. Regulation (EU) 2021/695 establishing Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. Council Regulation (EU) 2021/2085 establishing the Joint Undertakings under Horizon Europe (including Circular Bio-based Europe JU). Regulation (EU) 2021/783 establishing the Programme for the Environment and Climate Action (LIFE) Regulation (EU) 2021/1057 establishing the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+). Regulation (EU) 2021/1147 establishing the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF). Regulation (EU) 2024/1735 establishing a framework of measures for strengthening Europe’s net-zero technology manufacturing (Net-Zero Industry Act). Regulation (EU) 2024/1252 establishing a framework for ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials (Critical Raw Materials Act). Directive (EU) 2023/2413 amending Directive (EU) 2018/2001 etc. as regards the promotion of energy from renewable sources (Renewable Energy Directive – RED III). Directive (EU) 2023/1791 on energy efficiency (recast). Regulation (EU) 2024/1747 and Directive (EU) 2024/1711 improving the Union’s electricity market design. Regulation (EU) 2022/868 on European data governance (Data Governance Act).
Communication Activities
Communication activities ESPA has engaged with the European Commission (DG CONNECT) and the European Parliament through the following outreach actions: Participating in online public consultations and providing written feedback on implementation challenges for SMEs and startups. Attending stakeholder workshops and info days organised by the Commission on data governance, interoperability, and data spaces. Direct exchanges with policy officers in DG CONNECT regarding practical barriers faced by early-stage companies in applying data-sharing provisions. Disseminating explanatory materials and summaries of the Data Governance Act to ESPA members and partner organisations to foster compliance and awareness. Contributing to informal dialogue with Members of the European Parliament (ITRE and IMCO committees) to highlight the role of startups in trusted data-sharing ecosystems.
Interests Represented
Does not represent commercial interests
Member Of
ESPA Fund is currently not a member of or financially contributing to any external associations, federations, or networks.
Organisation Members
ESPA Fund has no individual or corporate members; it operates as an independent consulting and representation entity.
Commissioner Meetings
No recorded meetings with EU commissioners.