This is your chance to learn from practitioners about how European Regional Development Fund financial instruments and the Interreg Europe programme can help young innovators succeed in their regions! Discover the stories of local entrepreneurs and professionals thriving thanks to EU support. Learn how funding opportunities through equity investment can spark local research and innovation and how projects such as SKALE2CT can make an impact on societies, the environment and the economy.
- Urban | Local and regional | EU/ European | Cohesion | Education and culture | Youth and citizens engagement | Industry, entrepreneurship and SMEs (enterprise/ startup/ business) | Investment and Finances
- Code: 10WS241415
- Albert Borschette Conference Centre, AB-3C
Speakers
Moderator
Practical information
- When
-
Thu 10/10/2024, 09:30 - 10:30 CET
- Where
- Albert Borschette Conference Centre, AB-3C
- Type of partnership
- Partnership
- Format
- Workshop/ panel debate
- Theme
-
Regions got talent
- Language
- English
Reporting
Session summary
The session, opened by Michiel Scheffer, President of the Board of the EIC, focused on how funding for deep tech startups and scaleups can help support EU talent and mitigate brain drain. Scheffer emphasized the role of new EIC schemes, set to launch in 2025, that will offer dedicated funding tools for widening countries, with successful examples already seen in Slovakia, Lithuania, and Bulgaria.
Yesenia Otamendi from SKALE2CT presented initiatives in San Sebastian, showing how medium-sized cities can attract and retain talent through innovation ecosystems and interregional cooperation.
The session highlighted the role of ERDF funding, along with EIF and JEREMIE, in boosting venture capital and university startups.
Katerina Pramatari from Uni.fund and Valeri Petrov from Eleven Partners shared how these financial tools have spurred cross-border cooperation and investment in startups. Petrov also shared the success of Eleven Ventures in Bulgaria and SEE, which, along with Launchub, helped build a vibrant venture capital ecosystem, creating numerous startups, unicorns, and thousands of jobs, thereby attracting talent back to the region.
Attendees, including DG REGIO, raised questions on fostering talent for regional development and the importance of linking innovation stakeholders. Speakers stressed the value of talent engaging with international ecosystems while returning to Europe to grow their companies.
The session highlighted how EU financial instruments are essential for fostering innovation, reversing brain drain, and retaining talent within Europe.
