Daily News 06 / 01 / 2021

Fonds du Conseil européen de l'innovation: premiers investissements en fonds propres de 178 millions d'euros dans des innovations de rupture

La Commission a annoncé aujourd'hui la première vague d'investissements directs en fonds propres réalisés par l'intermédiaire du nouveau Fonds du Conseil européen de l'innovation (CEI). 42 start-up et petites et moyennes entreprises (PME) très innovantes recevront ensemble un financement en fonds propres de quelque 178 millions d'euros en vue de mettre au point et de développer des innovations de rupture dans les domaines tels que la santé, l'économie circulaire ou la fabrication avancée. Parmi celles-ci, la société française CorWave est la première entreprise de l'UE à bénéficier d'un investissement du Fonds du CEI. Mariya Gabriel, commissaire à l'innovation, à la recherche, à la culture, à l'éducation et à la jeunesse, a déclaré : « L'Europe compte de nombreuses start-up innovantes et talentueuses mais, trop souvent, ces entreprises restent de petite taille ou se relocalisent hors de l'Union. Cette nouvelle forme de financement, qui combine fonds propres et subventions, est propre au Conseil européen de l'innovation. Elle comblera le déficit de financement auquel sont confrontées des entreprises hautement innovantes et leur permettra de se développer en Europe en débloquant des investissements privés supplémentaires. » Les investissements en fonds propres, dans une fourchette allant de 500 000 euros à 15 millions d'euros par bénéficiaire, complètent le financement sous forme de subventions déjà fourni par l'intermédiaire du projet pilote d'Accélérateur du CEI pour permettre aux entreprises de se développer plus rapidement. C'est la première fois que la Commission réalise des investissements directs en fonds propres ou quasi-fonds propres, c'est-à-dire des investissements en fonds propres combinés à des subventions dans des entreprises en phase de démarrage, avec des prises de participation comprises entre 10 % et 25 % du capital. Plus d'informations sont disponibles dans ce communiqué de presse. (Pour plus d'informations: Johannes Bahrke – Tél.: +32 229 58615; Marietta Grammenou – Tél.: +32 229 83583)

Competition: Commission invites comments on inception impact assessment on scope of application of EU competition law to collective bargaining agreements for self-employed

The European Commission has published an inception impact assessment as part of the process that aims at ensuring that EU competition rules do not stand in the way of collective bargaining for those who need it. Digitisation is profoundly affecting the way people work, creating new opportunities also in the labour markets. Evidence shows for instance that a growing number of individuals engage in platform work. However, digitisation can also create challenges for individuals and put pressure on working conditions. These challenges are also present in certain forms of self-employment outside the platform economy. European competition rules do not apply to collective bargaining by workers but collective bargaining by self-employed considered as “undertakings” could be caught by competition rules.  Whilst it is not for competition policy to address the social challenges faced by vulnerable self-employed, EU competition rules should not be an obstacle to collective negotiations or agreements that aim at improving the working conditions of these individuals. In the inception impact assessment, the Commission has set out initial options to clarify that, provided that certain conditions are met, working conditions can be improved through collective agreements not only for employees but also for those self-employed who need protection, in line with EU competition rules. The Commission proposes to assess these different options through an impact assessment. The published inception impact assessment is an opportunity for the public and for all relevant stakeholders to comment on the form and scope of the initiative. Stakeholders are invited to provide input by 03/02/2021. A more detailed public consultation, based on a questionnaire, will take place during the first quarter of 2021. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel. +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of Polenergia by Brookfield and Mansa

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of Polenergia S.A. of Poland by Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (‘Brookfield') of Canada and Mansa Investments Sp. Z o.o. (‘Mansa') of Poland. Polenergia produces and sells energy and has related activities. Brookfield is an asset management firm focusing on property, renewable power, infrastructure and private equity. Mansa is a holding company of Ms Dominika Kulczyk who controls Polenergia S.A. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, given the companies' moderate combined market positions. The transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. More information is available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.10068. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel. +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Eurostat press releases