The Ecosystem: research commissioner’s new start-up focus raises hopes of action

12 Nov 2024 | News

For the first time, ‘start-ups’ is in the job title, Now the start-up community expects progress with its policy agenda

Ekaterina Zaharieva, commissioner-designate for start-ups, research and innovation, on November 5, 2024. Photo credits: Eleonora Francica / Science|Business

The start-up community is feeling good about having a European Commissioner assigned to look after its interests, even if the priority actions for supporting the sector are in the portfolio of other commissioners.

Now it wants to see rapid progress on the headline initiatives of the 28th regime and development of a savings and investments union, and more detail about the start-up and life sciences strategies slated for the months ahead.

If confirmed following her hearing before the European Parliament last week, Ekaterina Zaharieva will become the first European commissioner to have responsibility for start-ups written into the job title. This recognition is already a victory for the sector, according to Serena Borbotti-Frison, director general of advocacy group Allied for Start-ups.