European universities, the cornerstones of innovation ecosystems
Institut Mines-Télécom (IMT), member of the EULiST European universities alliance, had the pleasure of organizing an event devoted to the role of European universities in European innovation ecosystems, together with France Universités.
From fundamental research to industrialization, academic players support the entire innovation process, training talent, facilitating the transfer of technology and knowledge, and establishing bridges between companies, institutions and society.
The event highlighted several key messages and areas for reflection :
- The importance of supporting the entire innovation continuum to encourage the emergence of groundbreaking technologies, notably thanks to the FP10 for 2028-2034.
- Universities are key players in regional innovation ecosystems, providing support for the economic, social and industrial transformations in their regions.
- European university alliances can boost the capacity of European innovation by supporting “coopetition” and offering solutions to the challenges of European market fragmentation for start-ups (i.e., access to foreign capital, soft landing strategies for new markets, among others).
- The lack of private investment remains the main obstacle to the development of innovative companies in Europe, and the mobilization of institutional investors is essential in addressing this challenge.
We would like to extend our warmest thanks to all the speakers and participants, as well as to our institutional partners.
It was also an opportunity to reaffirm our determination to make an active contribution to building sustainable, inclusive and competitive innovation in Europe.
