What are the policies that can better support European entrepreneurs in their innovation and growth? These will be among the fascinating topics that Professor Johan Wiklund will address during the 2024 Schumpeter 'Innovation in Enterprise' Lecture on Monday 18 November in Budapest, on the eve of the 2024 SME Assembly.

The Schumpeter Lecture provides an opportunity for twenty-first century economists of equal distinction to discuss innovative economic perspectives, and the way in which they can help to grow a culture of enterprise. It is organised yearly on the eve of the SME Assembly, the go-to event in Europe for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The event is organised by the European Commission and hosted this year by the Hungarian Presidency of the EU. Past speakers have addressed topics such as the role of innovation in state-driven growth, critiques of mainstream economic policies, and the impact of climate change on business.

Professor Wiklund, from Sweden, is the Al Berg Chair of Entrepreneurship at Syracuse University (USA), Professor at the University of Bath (UK) and Nord University (NO). His pioneering research on mental health and entrepreneurship, with over 100 articles and 50,000 citations, makes him a fitting choice to address the future of entrepreneurship at this pivotal event.

“It is a privilege to build on the legacy of thinkers like Mariana Mazzucato and Joseph Stiglitz. This event offers an unparalleled opportunity to delve into entrepreneurship and policy. I’m eager to contribute to this essential conversation and to help shape Europe’s entrepreneurial future,” said Professor Wiklund.

About the SME Assembly

Coordinated by the European Commission and hosted in 2024 by the Hungarian Presidency of the EU, the SME Assembly is the flagship event of European SME Week. It serves as a critical forum for entrepreneurs, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss the future of SMEs, with a focus on innovation, sustainability, and digital transformation. The Assembly’s diverse programme includes high-level panels, expert roundtables, and networking opportunities, culminating in the European Enterprise Promotion Awards ceremony, which celebrates excellence in entrepreneurship across Europe.

About the Schumpeter Lecture

Established in 2012, the annual Schumpeter ‘Innovation in Enterprise’ Lecture is delivered by a leading figure in entrepreneurship, setting the tone for the SME Assembly and emphasising the importance of innovative practices for SMEs in Europe.

This Lecture series commemorates one of the twentieth century’s most celebrated economists, Joseph Schumpeter, keeping in mind his belief that “the entrepreneur is the pivot on which everything turns”. This idea continues to inspire remarkable economists of our time, like Philippe Aghion who developed the famous “Schumpeterian paradigm”, or Mariana Mazzucato and Joseph Stiglitz, who delivered the lecture in previous years.