The voice of Europe’s independent software vendors
ESA represents the ISVs that build and market packaged software across Europe — giving an industry once absent from Brussels a seat at the table on the policy that shapes it.
An industry body built by ISVs, for ISVs
The European Software Association is an industry body set up by some of the best-known companies in Europe whose business is to develop and market software. These businesses are usually known as ISVs, or Independent Software Vendors — in other countries referred to as Software Developers, Software Editors, or similar.
The principal aim of the Association is to represent the European software industry to policy makers and legislators in the European institutions. It was launched in October 2005 by 25 ISVs in recognition of a serious under-representation of the software industry at a European level, and an increased emphasis on ICT policy driven by the European Commission. That founding gap is the same one our events programme — including the annual ISV Day — continues to close today.
Around Europe there are many other industry and trade associations for the IT sector, some even specific to software. However, these are almost universally focused on national policy, or on narrower goals such as standards setting or implementation. As the software industry becomes increasingly global, policy making is increasingly led at EU level in response — and that is precisely where ESA is built to operate.
The Association also exists to provide a forum for developing common policy positions and best practice across Europe, and for networking between CEOs that leads to better cooperation and partnerships between businesses. You can see that work in practice across our Workgroups.
Ultimately, ESA exists to help keep this successful industry healthy, contributing to the economic and social wealth of the European Union well into the future.
“As the software industry becomes increasingly global, policy making is increasingly led by the European Union — the Association exists to make sure ISVs are heard where those decisions are made.” — ESA founding statement, 2005
From a representation gap to a standing voice
The Association was built to fill a specific, growing gap between where software policy is decided and where the industry was actually being heard.
A European representation gap
National and pan-European IT associations existed, but almost none focused specifically on ISVs, and fewer still operated at EU institutional level — leaving the software industry under-represented just as ICT policy activity in Brussels was accelerating.
ESA is founded by 25 ISVs
A group of leading European software vendors launches the Association to give the industry a dedicated, EU-level voice — distinct from the national and standards-focused bodies already in place.
Common positions, built collectively
Through Workgroups on trade, IP and skills, member CEOs and co-opted specialists shape the positions ESA takes to the Commission and Parliament.
A calendar of Brussels events
Gatherings such as the annual ISV Day turn those positions into direct dialogue with EU officials, most recently feeding the Association’s whitepaper for the European Software Strategy.
Three roles, one mandate
Everything ESA does falls under one of three pillars, each with its own track record inside the Association.
Policy representation
Speaking for the European software industry directly to policy makers and legislators in the EU institutions — the core mandate ESA was founded on. See it in action via Press Room.
A forum for common policy
Bringing member companies together to develop shared positions and best practice across Europe, coordinated through our Workgroups.
CEO-to-CEO networking
Creating the relationships between member CEOs that lead to real cooperation and partnerships — most visibly at events like ISV Day.
Membership is built around the ISV business model
ESA predominantly represents European ISVs, but membership isn’t restricted by geography alone — it’s defined by business model. Full terms are on our Membership page.
Packaged-software ISVs
The core membership is made up of companies that share a business model based on replicable, packaged software — the founding definition of an ISV within the Association.
See membership details →System Integrators
Companies whose primary business is system integration or consulting may still be represented, through the head of any division that produces replicable, packaged software — provided the representation stays focused on that ISV element.
Check if you qualify →The Association is predominantly representing European ISVs and discusses the issues the European industry faces, though it does not exclude ISVs based outside Europe — they are invited to join through their European HQ organisations.
Member companies are usually represented by the CEO, though very large companies may nominate an alternative CxO or board-level official. Representatives must be authorised to commit, decide and speak on behalf of their corporation. ESA also co-opts professionals from member organisations — PR practitioners, lawyers, strategists and others — to support the Association’s work. Ready to take part? Start the Join process or get in touch with questions first.
Governed by the industry it represents
ESA’s board is drawn directly from its member companies — the CEOs and board-level officials who represent their organisations set the Association’s policy priorities and steer the Workgroups that carry them forward.
The board is supported by professionals co-opted from member organisations, including PR practitioners, lawyers and strategists, ensuring positions taken to the European institutions are both industry-led and technically grounded.
Help shape how Europe legislates for software
If you would like to get involved with the way your industry represents itself to European policy makers, and help influence the way European legislation governs your business, ESA is where that starts.
Contact the Association
Avenue Jules Bordet 142B–1140 Brussels
Tel. +32 2 761 1777
Fax. +32 2 761 1777
www.europeansoftware.org
Full contact details →