The "Future 500" project, part of the "SEEUS Futures" platform developed by the Atlantic Council, was officially presented during the second European conclave’s International Public Conference – "What relations should we envisage with Europe by 2040?" at the BELvue Museum in Brussels.
The "Future 500" project was announced by Jörn Fleck, Senior Director at the Atlantic Council, and Stjepan Orešković, founder and majority shareholder of BOSQAR d.d.
The project's goal is to harness entrepreneurial talent to strengthen the role of the next generation of entrepreneurs in the European Union and global markets.
Photo: Courtesy of CONCLAVE/EuropaNova
Stjepan Orešković, founder and majority shareholder of BOSQAR d.d., and Jörn Fleck, Senior Director at the Atlantic Council
Brussels, Belgium, January 20, 2025 – This weekend, the Atlantic Council officially unveiled the "Future 500" initiative during the second annual European conclave, "Conclave II: International Public Conference" – themed “What relations should we envisage with Europe by 2040?” at the BELvue Museum in Brussels.
The "Future 500" initiative is part of the broader "SEEUS Futures" platform, designed to harness entrepreneurial talent and strengthen the role of Europe’s emerging entrepreneurs in global markets. The project was co-presented by Jörn Fleck, Senior Director at the Atlantic Council, and Stjepan Orešković, founder and majority shareholder of BOSQAR d.d., as a response to Europe’s pressing need for innovation-driven leadership.
The "Future 500" Initiative: Revitalizing Europe's Competitiveness
Inspired by former ECB President Mario Draghi's strategic insights on the future of Europe’s competitiveness, "Future 500" addresses the need for systemic and financial support to create global leaders from Europe.
Video: Courtesy of CONCLAVE/EuropaNova
"'Future 500' is an initiative aimed at unleashing Europe’s entrepreneurial and scientific potential and empowering the next generation of innovators to enhance regional and European competitiveness," said Orešković.
"By fostering cross-border collaboration, scaling high-potential businesses, and attracting international investment, 'Future 500' seeks to shape a new economic environment where entrepreneurs and entrepreneur-scientists are pivotal to revitalizing the EU’s global position. This project will provide the resources, networks, and support necessary to ensure their success on the world stage," he noted.
With only four of the world’s 50 largest tech companies originating in Europe, the initiative emphasizes scaling businesses with growth potential, creating a robust support ecosystem, and driving cross-border innovation and transatlantic partnerships.
Photo: Courtesy of CONCLAVE/EuropaNova
Empowering Europe’s Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
The initiative's mission is to empower a new generation of entrepreneurs by providing them with the resources, networks, and support needed to thrive on the global stage.
Through this, the project aims to:
Drive regional growth and integration in Southeast Europe and the European Union.
Enhance global competitiveness of European companies.
Foster innovation through transdisciplinary and cross-sector collaboration.
After its presentation in Brussels, the "Future 500" initiative will debut in Washington, D.C., this May to engage the U.S. business, scientific, and political communities. It will officially launch at the Bled Strategic Forum (BSF) in Slovenia this September, showcasing innovative companies and technologies with global potential.
A Gathering of Global Leaders and Experts
Photo: Courtesy of CONCLAVE/EuropaNova
The Brussels conclave featured over 50 leading figures from politics, business, arts, science, and civil society, including Antonio Costa (President of the European Council), Mark Rutte (NATO Secretary General), and Alexander De Croo (Prime Minister of Belgium).
Other distinguished participants included Mariya Gabriel (former Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister), Jean-François van Boxmeer (Chairman of Vodafone), and representatives from BOSQAR INVEST, the Bertelsmann Foundation, and ASML.
Photo: Courtesy of CONCLAVE/EuropaNova
Photo: Courtesy of CONCLAVE/EuropaNova
Photo: Courtesy of CONCLAVE/EuropaNova
Photo: Courtesy of CONCLAVE/EuropaNova
About BOSQAR INVEST:
BOSQAR INVEST (BOSQAR d.d., together with its subsidiaries) is a European leader that operates in the industries of business process and technology outsourcing, information technology, employment services (HR), eCommerce, and Food.
With an innovative business model, BOSQAR INVEST accelerated its expansion on the market with intensive organic growth and an M&A platform. Through its buy-and-build strategy, it has acquired 57 companies since 2016. BOSQAR INVEST is focused on improving the profitability and operations of each of its acquired companies through its standardized operational models that result in significant organic growth of all companies inside the Group and the Group itself.
Today, BOSQAR INVEST operates through four business verticals: the BPTO business vertical (brand: Mplus), the HR business vertical (brands: Manpower and Workplace), the eCommerce business vertical (brand: Eplus Ventures), and the Food business vertical (brand: Future Food Solutions). All business verticals are focused on shareholder value creation through a commitment to best practices in digitalization, structured key accounts management programs, rigorous financial stability and cash management, strong and dedicated management teams, and a focus on results.
In its ownership structure, BOSQAR INVEST brings together pension funds, institutional investors, international private equity funds, development institutions, and private investors. The BOSQAR INVEST business community consists of over 13,900 employees, and the group provides its services to clients who, in addition to Croatia, do business in 57 countries around the world.
