The European Commission should organise an annual Day of Innovation and Entrepreneurship in universities and even high schools across Europe, with incentives to invite entrepreneurs to present their stories to students.
The purpose would be to get entrepreneurial values penetrating more universities and colleges. It is likely that a number of students would be willing to emulate those coming to tell their stories. Hearing that it is possible from somebody who has been there can inspire people to become an entrepreneurs.
The incentive could consist in money/grants to acquire technological equipment. The entrepreneurs themselves could be incentivised as well with a cheque of a few thousand euro. Most would probably not be doing it for the money, and should have the option of donating this money to a charity promoting entrepreneurship in the third world – for example, the Grameen bank.
The Commission would provide the framework for this to happen and communicate around the event. All this would have to be managed professionally, probably by an outside PR/event organisation firm. It will probably take a few years to establish the event, but it could become a fairly visible, recurring and effective event. In order to maximise visibility, this Day of the Entrepreneurs could take place the day the Commission gives away its Entrepreneurship Award.
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