European Innovation Council

The former member of EU Committee of the Regions also brings wide experience in innovation and start-ups - and the hope he can steer the EIC out of troubled waters

After problems in oversight and carrying out due diligence that continue to delay payments to start-ups, the Commission is transferring management of its equity fund to the European Investment Bank. The formal handover expected to complete in September

EU’s innovation fund will give out €1.6B in grants and equity to start-ups and innovators in 2023 – and is promising smooth sailing after a bumpy start

The partnership aims to streamline EU funding and encourage data sharing to give a much-needed boost to clean hydrogen

Details revealed in leaked work programme for 2023 imply the European Commission expects there will be less money for the innovation funding agency in 2024, after the pandemic recovery fund runs out

EIC was conceived as a bottom up innovation fund, but the move to backing top down and targeted research is now filling gaps that researcher-led projects cannot

The decision is part of the European Parliament’s final position on the 2023 budget. MEPs also vowed to block any attempt by the Commission to siphon off Horizon Europe money to fund the Chips Act or its secure satellite communications scheme

Following the appointment of a fund manager to oversee equity investments, money will finally start flowing to 139 cash-strapped companies. But this is a transitional arrangement, not a full fix, and some MEPs remain sceptical

A Polish member of the European Innovation Council board calls for start-ups in the region to get more public and private funding and better access to networks – and for successful companies to be held up as role models

MEPs have finally lost patience over the 18 month delay in getting the new EU equity fund up and running. But as the gloves came off today, the Commission claimed the solution is in sight