This year the European Commission prominently takes part in CeBIT, one of the largest global IT fairs, hosting the high-level conference Driving the Digital Economy and Society in Europe on the Digital Single Market strategy, which is one of the top priorities of the Juncker Commission.

graphic with CeBIT logo and text "Driving the Digital Economy and Society in Europe"

There will also be a dedicated programme on start-ups and an exhibition to showcase successful EU-funded projects, and to provide information on support for start-ups in the European Union.

On 14 March, Günther H. Oettinger, Commissioner for digital economy and society, will participate and give a keynote speech on the challenges and opportunities of the Digital Single Market strategy and how the Commission intends make progress on this flagship initiative in 2016.

Keynote speech 13:10-13:40  here.

More information on Mr Oettinger’s programme at CeBIT.

Driving the Digital Economy and Society in Europe

This conference will focus on progress towards the creation of a Digital Single Market and will take place on 14 March 2016, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., in CeBIT Hall 8.

The event is part of the annually held global conference track of CeBIT. Featuring invited speakers from European industry and policy, it will look at progress on the road to a digital single market and global technological and social trends. This year major topics on the agenda include standardisation, ecommerce and future telecommunication networks.

Detailed information on the programme including speakers.

You can follow the event via web streaming.

In May 2015, the European Commission presented its strategy for creating a Digital Single Market in the European Union by removing regulatory barriers and moving from 28 fragmented national markets to one single market. The strategy includes 16 individual initiatives for implementation by the end of 2016. It aims at creating better access for consumers and businesses to digital goods and services, shape the environment for digital networks and services to flourish cross EU borders and stimulate a new wave of innovative European start-ups with growth potential.

Startup Europe Ecosystem Day and the European Digital Forum

On 15 March, the European Digital Forum hosts European Startup Ecosystem Day, a 24-hour track of top-level sessions running throughout the day. A number of European and international digital superstars will join – including start-up leaders, venture capitalists and digital visionaries.

Commissioner Oettinger will open the event at the Go Global Summit, a policy conference hosted in Scale 11, a dedicated CeBIT area for start-ups.

From 14 to 18 March, Startup Europe and DG CONNECT will be present in Scale 11, booth D50, showcasing 34 high growth potential start-ups and innovators from 16 European countries. They are supported by a range of EU initiatives to strengthen the business environment for tech entrepreneurs so that they can start and grow their businesses in and from Europe. These include:

  • the SME Instrument which supports highly innovative SMEs with a clear commercial ambition and international growth potential through business innovation grants for feasibility studies and innovation and demonstration activities, coupled with free-of-charge business coaching and mentoring;
  • Startup Europe programmes offering advice on the legal, networking, internationalisation and access-to-finance challenges encountered by early stage entrepreneurs; and,
  • the Innovation Radar which supports high potential innovators participating in EU-funded research projects to fulfil their market potential by suggesting a range of targeted actions and supports available (including, for example, the SME Instrument and Startup Europe programmes).

More information on the Commission exhibition stand in Scale 11.

The European Commission will also be present in Hall 7: at stand B39  “Digital Services Across Borders” there will be large-scale pilot projects on display which aim at European interoperability by providing general standards for cross-border e-government: the Large Scale Pilot project  e-SENS, uniting traditionally with e-CODEX and for the first time with Connecting Europe Facility Programme (CEF Digital) and eIDAS.

During the entire CeBIT presentations, networking sessions with technical experts, guided tours and expert talks will take place at this booth. The projects at this exhibition stand cover the following areas:

  • IT solutions delivered by e-SENS and e-CODEX addressing the problems of compliance with EU legislation
  • Ensuring interoperability in cross-border communication with e-Delivery solution
  • Exchange of pre-award tender information across borders
  • Achieving non-repudiation in cross-border communication within e-Health services
  • Re-usable tools and services offered within the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), an EU funding instrument
  • Electronic identification and trust services (eIDAS services) to boost trust and convenience in cross-border electronic transactions

More information on the Commission exhibition stand in Hall 7.