Finland’s quantum ecosystem is attracting foreign start-ups and looking to build on a cooperation agreement with the US government

Regulatory sandboxes enable innovators to test out legal aspects of services in advance of market launch, especially in fintech. A new EU initiative aims to support cross-border testing - but there are criticisms

They may only contain basic equipment, but fab labs can still make a difference to the early life of a start-up

In the first of a new Science|Business column on European innovation ecosystems, we look at efforts to get entrepreneurs to rethink how they handle knowledge valorisation

The European Innovation Council’s work programme is finally out. There will be equity investments of up to €15M-plus for start-ups, but EIC is about to lose full control over this fund and some MEPs are unhappy

Management of one of Europe’s biggest investment funds is at risk of capture ‘by bureaucratic tendencies,’ MEP Ehler warns. Decision expected by Monday, sources say

The EIC’s investment arm is caught up in legal difficulties and infighting at the Commission. Start-ups and SMEs promised equity funding face ‘massive uncertainty’ and will have to wait months into 2022 to get the cash

As the latest data underline the extent of the gender gap, leading figures debate what to do about the loss of talent this represents. A declaration backed by member states blames ‘outdated gender norms’ and ‘unfair hierarchies and power structures’

With the EU falling behind the US and China in the global innovation race, the forum aims to tackle bottlenecks and work on coherent innovation policies. But as US investors sweep up European assets, the critical gap is funding for scale-up

The board will meet for the first time next week, following the first EIC summit in Brussels