Investment

The French innovation agency’s approach to risk-sharing is enabling start-ups to attract private capital and make strides in commercialising new technologies.

Ireland has launched a €500 million innovation fund as a lure to attract international venture capital firms to set up European operations in the country.

The UK Innovation Forum (UKIF) has been set up to foster relations between academics and businesses and promote the commercialisation of university research.

The UK’s new coalition government has swept into office and announced immediate cuts of £6 billion in public spending.

Innovation may rest on R&D, but it takes place in a far bigger and more diverse context, says the UK’s new science minister, David Willetts.