The governing board of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) has elected Alexander von Gabain, founder of the Austrian vaccines company Intercell as its next chairman.

The many obstacles in the way of campus start-ups range from mundane rivalry over laboratory space, to a lack of a top-level commitment to promoting technology transfer and entrepreneurialism. This year's ACES winners met with EIT to discuss experiences and share insight.

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology – the EIT, set up by the European Union to encourage innovation – is to launch an awards programme for young entrepreneurs next year, in partnership with Science|Business. The move is part of a push to change attitudes to entrepreneurship in Europe, and was announced today (3 February) by EIT Board member Daria Tataj at the ACES Academic Enterprise conference, held at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich.

A special briefing on the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, based on information presented at a Science|Business meeting in Brussels.

Switzerland’s EPFL has developed its own – US-inspired – model of what a technology institute should look like.

Europe’s answer to the innovation powerhouse of MIT finally gets off the ground. Now it needs corporate support, says Barroso.

After months of lobbying, the Hungarian capital was chosen as headquarters for the European Institute of Technology and Innovation.

It may be a cheap imitation of the original vision, but Europe’s answer to MIT goes ahead. Now wait for the wrangling on where to site it.

Research Commissioner Janez Potocnik called for Europe to adopt a global culture of entrepreneurship in the face of the challenge from China and India.

Although financial support from the European Union for the European Institute of Innovation and Technology is assured, a big question mark still hangs over funding from industry.