Members of the European Parliament, EIF Members and friends will be invited to exchange views with European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth Mariya Gabriel.

‘If it seems impossible, then it can be done.’ That's Europe's new spirit announced in the latest State of the European Union. The same belief is the essence of every innovator. A new wave of innovation centered on deep tech, hardware, and sustainable development goals (SDG) is already getting underway. Europe has a long tradition in science and research but has struggled to find its way back as a global tech superpower. Although successful, "far west" models cannot be replicated here. Europe is a much more refined and complex ecosystem of cultures and traditions based on values that are a source of inspiration for societal advances around the globe. A pan-European Innovation Ecosystem is needed, involving constant bottom-up consultations with our European Champions (EU unicorns, ecosystem leaders, and investors, from regional to national and European levels).

Women’s potential in innovation is nearly untapped and can be a game-changer for Europe. We need to transform our universities into the cradle of talent and innovation. Education and research have always been vital for innovation, but civil society is becoming the pillar for new sources of innovation. Synergies among the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), European Innovation Council (EIC), European Innovation Ecosystems (EIE), and the European Investment Fund (EIF) can be improved. To compete on the global scale, we need more firepower to nurture EU innovation in a leaner, faster, more efficient, and more effective way. Borrowing it from the startup world, "We need a lean canvas" for a "Next Innovation EU".

• Programme

  Opening remarks

  Maria da Graça Carvalho MEP and EIF Steering Committee Member

  Key-note speaker

  Mariya Gabriel, EU Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth

  Moderator

  Maria Rosa Gibellini, Director General, European Internet Forum