Enterprise Europe Network is a European network of contact points that provides small and medium-sized enterprises with free services for entering foreign markets, finding business and technology partners, and navigating European legislation and financing options. It operates through national partners – usually agencies, chambers and innovation centres – who know the company personally and can point it in the right direction. The network's practical tool is a database of business profiles, where a company publishes what it offers or is looking for, and the system matches it with interested parties from other countries. The network also organises cooperation events with pre-arranged meetings. For companies considering export, this is the cheapest first step before investing in their own representation or in expensive consultancy.
See also: Single Market Programme, Grants for Export and Trade Fairs, Market testing before entry.
