SE: A researcher owns 65% of a SME but does not hold a direct employment contract with the company. Instead, he is employed by a university. Could such a person, despite not being directly employed by the SME, be considered eligible staff for a secondment?

The link between an entity and its owner exists and the person is eligible under MSCA Staff Exchanges, as far as they play a role within its structure (CEO, Chairperson, CFO, president or other) and they comply with all other conditions of eligibility (for example, that they are linked to R&I activities at the SME).