“Europe is still quite good in science, but it is far behind in translating that science into industrial applications,” said Michel Schäfer, chairman of the European Innovation Council’s board of directors.
“The difference in patents, the difference in start-ups, the difference in unicorns born from innovation is even more pronounced.”
Europe now accounts for 18% of the world’s innovative output, up from 25% about 15 years ago, according to Hungarian Education Minister Balázs Hanko.
The biggest reason for the gap is Europe’s “fermented” and “fragile” funding environment, and we need to reinvigorate it without undermining European values or losing sight of our socio-political goals. There is a need, Schaeffer said.
The European Innovation Council, established in March 2021 under the EU’s Horizon Europe programme, has a mandate to support “game-changing innovation” and “finance and scale-up of start-ups and SMEs”. €10.1bn (£8.7bn) was awarded.
The EIC has so far funded around 500 European companies, 90% of which are located within 10 kilometers of universities.
“Existing companies [digital] Europe is undergoing a transition and needs something new.our role [at EIC] It’s not just about sticking to what’s current, it’s about being entrepreneurial and inquisitive,” Schaeffer said.
Schaeffer stressed that this measure should be a “free gift” and that most investments in innovation should come from national and local funds.
“France is probably the country with the best regional, national and European management. [funding]. That is also why France is doing the best with this system,” Schäfer said, also pointing out that Germany and the Netherlands are developing public funds to foster innovation.
In 2021, President Macron announced a major investment program known as France 2030, with €13 billion invested in higher education and research-related activities.
“The aim is to encourage universities to transform their curricula to connect them with the wants and needs of the population,” said Sébastien Chevalier, head of higher education and research strategy at the French Ministry of Education.
Chevalier said this includes linking higher education more closely with France’s industrial goals and transforming the curriculum for employment opportunities and socio-economic performance.
“We also encourage universities to take risks in their research and try to open new doors. Some work, some don’t, and that’s okay. For now. So, we encourage risk,” he said.
“We encourage universities to take risks in their research and try to open new doors. Some things will work out, some things won’t, and that’s okay.”
Participants heard that national higher education strategies are being developed across Europe in Hungary, Greece and Latvia to encourage market-oriented research and promote results-based economic outcomes.
Still, “KPIs are empty without values,” Schäfer said, and socio-economic goals should not be contrary to European values.
“Yes, we have socio-economic responsibilities, but universities have a role beyond that. They also make socio-political contributions.
“When the European Commission funds a project, we do so within the framework of European values. It is therefore not an apolitical instrument. This is Europe as a thought leader. It is a political tool aimed at strengthening the position of
