The Power of Connection
A key takeaway from the discussions was that regional innovation valleys hold significant potential—but only when they are well-connected. Fostering collaboration among experts from different fields and countries is essential to advancing Europe’s innovation landscape. Jekaterina Novikova, Deputy Head of Unit at DG RTD Innovation Policy and Access to Finance, emphasized the European Commission’s commitment to closing the innovation gap. She highlighted the role of strategic policies such as the European Innovation Act, which aims to create a more supportive environment for startups and scale-ups across the continent.
Harnessing Europe’s Strengths
Prof. Dr. Klaus Sailer, CEO of the Strascheg Center for Entrepreneurship and SYSTEMEU lead, underlined Europe’s unique advantage: its diversity.
“Our regions benefit from world-class education, specialized expertise, and dynamic creative hubs. The key is to connect these strengths,” he stated. He stressed that collaboration and co-creation are not only essential for technological advancement but also for generating meaningful societal impact. A long-term, systematic approach to innovation will be crucial for Europe’s continued success.
Shaping the Future Through Collaboration
Beyond engaging discussions, the event served as a valuable networking platform, bringing together innovation leaders to exchange ideas and forge new partnerships. The main conclusion? To position Europe as a global innovation leader, stakeholders must work together across regions, industries, and disciplines. Europe stands at a pivotal moment in its innovation journey. It is imperative to reinforce regional innovation ecosystems and establish stronger cross-border collaboration to drive European competitiveness and innovation. This gathering united European policymakers, industry leaders, and venture capitalists to forge the next chapter of European innovation. With all european partners from the SFF network, the SCE aims to shape the Future of Regional Innovation Valleys, create synergies between major EU initiatives and develop concrete policy recommendations and actions for European competitiveness.
