The European Patent Office’s report, «Mapping Investors for European Innovators», highlights the pivotal role of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) in strengthening Europe’s innovation landscape.
The report introduces the Technology Investor Score (TIS), a metric designed to identify investors with a strong focus on technology-driven companies based on patent activity within their portfolios. It underscores funding gaps in Europe, particularly in late-stage private investment compared to the US and stresses the need for improved collaboration between public and private investors to support innovation growth. It aims to offer insights for policymakers, investors, and innovation agencies to address these challenges and strengthen Europe’s innovation ecosystem.
The EIT’s collaborative approach to innovation support
According to the report, the EIT plays a central role in strengthening Europe’s innovation landscape by fostering collaboration between business, education, and research. As part of Horizon Europe, the EIT’s focus on integrating education, research, and business through its Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) is critical in tackling global challenges such as climate, energy, health, and digitalisation. These partnerships provide targeted support to startups and SMEs, including grants, business acceleration services, and access to a vast network of investors, ensuring that technology-driven companies can thrive. The EIT’s success is demonstrated by its support for over 9 900 ventures, the launch of over 2 400 new products, and the training of over 880 000 individuals in new skills.
EIT’s leadership in early-stage technology funding
The report highlights that the EIT stands out among public investors in Europe due to its focus on early-stage technology funding, making it a central figure in the region’s innovation ecosystem. Public investors are large players in the European investment network, with the EIT ranking among the top five by network centrality. This prominent positioning reflects the EIT’s significant contributions to advancing high-tech innovations and providing crucial early-stage support where private investment often falls short.
Importance of the EIT’s involvement with patenting firms
One of the EIT’s distinguishing strengths is its consistent involvement with patenting firms, which underscores its commitment to seeding innovation at the earliest stages. While private investors account for the majority of investment volumes, public investors like the EIT specialise in technology-driven ventures, vital for bridging funding gaps that can otherwise hinder the growth of promising startups.
By strategically focusing on early-stage innovation while collaborating with other public and private stakeholders, the report emphasises that the EIT contributes significantly to Europe’s competitiveness. Its presence in the European co-investor network helps balance the region’s funding ecosystem, addressing the scarcity of late-stage private capital and reinforcing a foundation where innovation can flourish from research to commercialisation.