Ian Mundell

Germany’s foremost basic research organisation has switched from sector-specific business incubators to a broader programme that will keep innovators in its institutes, while supporting a broader range of spin out companies

In the name of competition, the European Commission wants to stop the US DNA sequencing company from buying a US leader in applying DNA sequencing to novel cancer diagnostics. The view from the ground in Europe is that it may not matter so much

Setting a separate target for deployment of novel renewable technologies could open up markets for start-ups, but there are also other barriers that need to be lifted

Medical biotech start-ups are thriving in Poland thanks to abundant EU funding, but structural weaknesses are making it difficult for them to grow and mature

A few pioneering European Universities alliances are branching out from their education mission to support entrepreneurship and innovation.

Enterprising academics are using European Research Council proof of concept grants to build companies and negotiate Europe’s market failures

The Czech capital has nurtured a strong space and earth observation industry, but start-ups there are yet to feel the benefits of Prague hosting two EU space data agencies

The east-west innovation divide is now front and centre in EU innovation policy. This pleases the movers and shakers in central and eastern states, but also raises their expectations for action

A grace period could be the saving grace of European innovators who inadvertently disclose their inventions before filing a patent. But it would also create legal uncertainty for all users of the patent system

Demand for faux alternatives is high, and European start-ups are going hell for leather to capture a piece of the market.