Conferences and summits: Thriving regional innovation ecosystems for competitive European start-ups & scale-ups

During the Seminar, we will provide an opportunity to explore the key elements of the upcoming Startup and Scaleup Strategy, discuss the critical role of regional and local innovation, and share best practices of successful local initiatives. This will facilitate a deeper understanding of how to support the growth of EU startups and scaleups, ultimately contributing to the EU's competitiveness and innovation goals.

Moderator: Eva-Maria Szavuj, Head of Unit, European Semester and Country Intelligence, DG Research & Innovation

Programme

• 6 May 2025, 14:30 - 14:45 (CEST) - A forward-looking reflection on regions’ political role in driving innovation Speaker: Heike Raab (DE/PES), Chair of the CoR's SEDEC Commission
• 14:45 - 15:00 (CEST) - Presentation on the Polish EU Council Presidency's relevant priorities Speaker: Polish Permanent Representation to the EU (tbc)
• 15:00 - 15:15 (CEST) - Setting the scene on how local ecosystems can foster innovation Speaker: Eva-Maria Szavuj, Head of Unit, European Semester and Country Intelligence, DG Research & Innovation
• 15:15 - 15:55 (CEST) - Presentation of the upcoming startup and scaleup strategy (and Q&A session) Speaker: Andreea Ticheru, Member of the Task Force on Startups and Scale-ups, DG Research and Innovation
• 15:55 - 16:10 (CEST) - Coffee break
• 16:10 - 16:20 (CEST) - Video testimonial by a Member of the European Parliament
• 16:20 - 17:10 (CEST) - Panel discussion: Concrete examples of local initiatives (and Q&A session) Moderator: tbc Panellists:
  • Melanie Kühnemann-Grunow (DE/PES), CoR member, SEDEC and ENVE Commissions
  • Anne Besnier (FR/PES), CoR member, SEDEC and ECON Commissions
  • CoR Member (tbc)
• 17:10 - 17:20 (CEST) - Video testimonial & presentation on the Startup Braga initiative Speaker: Ricardo Rio (PT/EPP), CoR member, SEDEC and ECON Commissions
• 17:20 - 17:30 (CEST) - Closing remarks Speakers: Eva-Maria Szavuj, Heike Raab

Practical Information

When: Tuesday 6 May 2025, 14:30 - 17:30 (CEST)

Where: Committee of the Regions, rue Belliard 101, room JDE 51, 1049 Brussels, Belgium

Description

Closing the innovation divide between the EU and its global competitors and boosting competitiveness is a key priority for the European Union, as highlighted in the Letta Report on the future of the Single Market and the Draghi Report on European competitiveness.

The startup and scaleup strategy announced by the European Commission will be one of the flagship actions to contribute to closing the innovation gap, with the aim to foster an innovation-friendly environment that makes it simpler and faster for European innovative startups to grow and scale up in the Single Market.

In this regard, European local ecosystems play a pivotal role in fostering innovation by integrating diverse stakeholders—including universities, research institutions, businesses, and government entities—to create dynamic innovation hubs. Strong regional innovation ecosystems can be conducive for the startups and scaleups to prosper.

The potential of EU startups and scaleups to create new markets and increase the EU's global leadership and competitiveness is significant. However, it is imperative to address the obstacles that hinder their ability to scale into mature, profitable companies within the Single Market and to incentivize them to remain in the EU.