EUROPEAN COMMISSION INITIATIVES TO SUPPORT SCIENTIFIC ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION

Анотація

The European Commission has placed startups and research-driven innovation among the key
priorities of its mandate, aiming to close the innovation divide with global competitors and boost
Europe’s competitiveness [1]. Scientific entrepreneurship is based on leveraging research expertise
and systematic methodologies to create new ventures or enhance existing businesses. Its central aim
is to drive widespread innovation adoption and facilitate the commercial use of scientific findings.
Achieving this involves collaboration in research and development among universities, corporate
research and development departments, and research agencies; the commercialization of scientific
results through market-oriented solutions; efficient allocation of financial and human capital;
knowledge transfer through mentorship, workshops, and specialized training programs; and active
fundraising from venture capital, grants, and institutional investments. EURAXESS Researchers in
Motion [1] is an example for supporting such a comprehensive initiative.
Several key stakeholders contribute to the advancement of scientific entrepreneurship. Academic
and research institutions such as universities and independent research centers play a vital
role. The business sector, which encompasses small and medium enterprises, startup incubators, and
accelerators, creates an environment for transforming scientific discoveries into viable ventures.
Financial institutions supply essential capital, including venture capital firms, funding agencies, and
investors. Public and private support programs further facilitate innovation by promoting
knowledge transfer and implementing policies that bolster research-driven entrepreneurship. The
EURAXESS Startup Hubs [2] are initiatives that unite these diverse actors.
EURAXESS is a pan-European program to support researchers by offering career development
services, mobility assistance, and funding opportunities [1]. A sub-network of national hubs
operates under EURAXESS, guided by calls like the ERA Talent Call, which seeks to scale the impact
of the EURAXESS network across Europe [3]. Within this structure, dedicated programs such
as Science4Refugees, ERA Talent Circulation, and Scientific Entrepreneurship Hubs focus on specific
needs, from integrating refugee researchers into European science ecosystems to nurturing
interdisciplinary collaborations.