Forum

Policy for SMEs and startups changes every week. The government and the National Assembly announce new funds, laws, programmes and plans, and those affected often have little time to understand them.

A change is easier to judge when the people it affects examine it together, soon after it is announced, with the official text and the evidence in front of them.

IFEED forums are where that discussion takes place, while there is still time for it to shape how a policy is carried out.

About

Each IFEED forum takes one recent change in entrepreneurial ecosystem policy announced by the government or the National Assembly. It looks at what the change sets out to do, how it will work and whom it will reach.

Typical subjects include a new fund or loan scheme, an amendment to a law on startups or venture investment, a regional support programme or a change in tax support.

Officials, researchers and practitioners discuss the change, starting from the official announcement and the evidence behind it. Forums are kept small, so that every participant can take part.

Aims

• Current issues. Discuss policy changes soon after they are announced, from new funds and loan schemes to amendments to the law, while there is still time to shape them.
• Evidence. Start from the official announcement, the budget and the evidence behind a change, rather than from commentary or press coverage.
• Dialogue. Bring together officials, researchers, investors and founders, so that each can see how a change looks from the other side.

Duration

Half a day, held several times a year.