EuroTech Universities Alliance highlights opportunities
Cultivating Europe's home-grown entrepreneurs
On June 29 the EuroTech Universities Alliance convened a high-level event in Brussels and released a policy paper "Nurturing the Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow." The paper details how universities of science and technology can contribute to Europe's competitiveness by cultivating entrepreneurship. Best-practice examples from the EuroTech Universities illustrate what can be done in four key fields of activity: entrepreneurship education and training; promoting entrepreneurship culture and careers; supporting internationalization; and facilitating access to finance.
The Brussels event began with a keynote talk by Patrick Aebischer, President of EPFL and current President of the EuroTech Universities Alliance. Aebischer highlighted advantages of this collaborative framework, including synergies among the universities' entrepreneurship activities and enhanced international networking for students and staff. He cited the Alliance's European Venture Programme, as well as TECHNOLOGIST magazine and website, as examples of novel approaches supporting business creation and entrepreneurial culture in Europe.
TUM President Wolfgang A. Herrmann took part in the panel discussion, which was moderated by innovation expert Daria Tataj. A viewpoint from the European Commission was provided by Robert Madelin, Director-General for Communications, Networks, Content and Technology. Two entrepreneurs rounded out the panel: Adam Hartmann, co-founder of the DTU spin-out Eupry, and Matthias Meyer, founder of BMW Start-up Garage.
Meyer stressed the importance of geographic proximity in creating university-industry pathways that can take early-stage ideas to market. "Our co-development scheme," he said, "builds on our close ties with TUM for mutual benefit – the young entrepreneurs have the fantastic opportunity of market and network access, and we can tap into the young creative potential that is just around the corner."
The policy paper is available for download on the Alliance website: www.eurotech-universities.eu
TECHNOLOGIST website: www.technologist.eu
EuroTech Universities European Venture Programme
Video about spin-outs of EuroTech Universities
Contact:
Emily Palmer
Head of Brussels Office
EuroTech Universities Alliance
Square de Meeûs 23
1000 Brussels, Belgium
Phone: +32 2 274 0532
Mobile: +32 471 781384
E-Mail: emily.palmer@eurotech-universities.eu
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