Initiative offers free services to foreign investors

(JB) Starting a business in Luxembourg is to be made easier as of this January when a new initiative providing free support services for foreign investors goes live.

EUROPE 4 STARTUPS is a partnership scheme promising free office amenities, support services, ICT, tax consulting and general security support for the first 12 months for any eBusiness or Multimedia company starting in Europe.

Initiated by Luxembourg-based SecureIT, the not-for-profit foundation hopes to encourage foreign investment in the Grand Duchy, aiding growth and sustainability for existing companies.

SecureIT CEO Gary Kneip explained: “In the past we've been actively chasing companies in the US. It's had some success but it's been difficult. We want to repeat the success we've had with smaller firms like what we've seen with Skype, a firm which grew from having a few servers in 2004 to what it is today. So, now we've stopped chasing the clients and we want the clients to chase us."

EUROPE 4 STARTUPS brings together partners from a range of firms in Luxembourg to offer free support services for foreign companies with a sound business plan and a track record in their home market.

Among the benefits offered are office amenities, including a desk in a shared office, shared meeting rooms and printing, a postal address, possibility to host the firm's registered EU office, wifi internet access and local server access. The initiative proposes a raft of support services such as tax optimisation, legal services and marketing and communication support.

Regarding ICT and network needs, it proposes cloud computing with 15 virtual servers, security systems and internal network.

“We all need to encourage companies to come to Luxembourg. The government does a lot to show them that Luxembourg is the best place for a European HQ. But the government can't do it alone. It needs help from other players”, Mr Kneip concluded.

To find out more, visit www.europe4startups.com