The goal of e-2008 is to stimulate rapid take-up of Research and Technology Development (RTD) results by industry and in particular SMEs, and help open up the European Research Area (ERA) to the rest of the world.

Confirmed plenary speakers include Mr Bo Bladholm, President of the City of Stockholm; Lord Mayor Sten Nordin; Mrs Åsa Torstensson, Minister for Communications, Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications, Prof. Per Eriksson, Director General VINNOVA - The Swedish Governmental Agency for Innovation Systems, Mr Per Unckel, the County Governor of Stockholm, Mr Urban Funered, Ministry of Finance and Mr Edmundas Žvirblis, Deputy Director, Information Society Development Committee, Government of the Republic of Lithuania.

Major Sponsors confirmed to date include Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications, VINNOVA (Swedish Governmental Agency for Innovation Systems), City of Stockholm and County Administrative Board of Stockholm.

Supported by the European Commission and Technical Co-Sponsored by IEEE, eChallenges provides a prestigious, international forum to share success stories and lessons learnt from applied Information and Communications Technology (ICT) related research at European level (FP6 & FP7) as well as Regional, National and Commercial initiatives. International cooperation and discussion of commercialisation, exploitation & interoperability issues are key aspects of the programme.

The programme will combine strategic keynote presentations, technical, legal and policy papers, business and government case studies, workshops and tutorials. e-2008 will also feature an Exhibition and an attractive Social Programme for partners, presenters, delegates and exhibitors, to enhance networking opportunities both during and after the Conference.