A quiet revolution has been unfolding in Europe’s innovation ecosystem. EU-funded startups – notably in vital sectors like deeptech, climatetech, AI, biotech and house – have quietly amassed over €520 billion in enterprise worth. And but, they account for simply 5% of whole EU innovation funding. So the query is: what could possibly be achieved if we scaled up our help?
That is the provocation on the coronary heart of a new report from the Innovation Radar Bridge (IRB) venture, the first ever to comprehensively assess the affect of EU startup help programmes. Combining information from Innovation Radar, Dealroom, and EU programme monitoring instruments, the report provides one thing highly effective: a transparent, data-backed case for why policymakers and buyers ought to take EU-backed startups much more severely. Let’s take a more in-depth look.
Europe’s underfunded deeptech engine
Over the previous 40 years, EU analysis and innovation programmes have deployed round €225 billion. Simply €12 billion of that, roughly 5%, has gone on to startups. But this modest slice of funding has helped unlock an extra €70 billion in non-public capital, supporting over 13,600 startups, lots of which are actually valued at a collective €520 billion.
This group contains standout names like BioNTech, developer of one of many first COVID vaccines, and ARM, a cellular chip pioneer. The worth these startups deliver isn’t simply financial; many function in frontier tech sectors, exactly the areas the place Europe desires to guide. In truth, 74% of EU-backed startups manufacture bodily merchandise, in contrast with simply 25% within the wider ecosystem.
“This report is groundbreaking – it marks the fortieth anniversary of the EU’s first analysis and innovation programme” defined Eoghan O’Neill, Senior Coverage Officer on the European Fee and Undertaking Officer for IRB. “The report highlights the vital function that EU-backed startups and SMEs are enjoying in addressing among the world’s most urgent challenges, together with local weather change, healthcare, and AI-driven digital transformation. For buyers, it gives a roadmap to determine high-potential, growth-oriented firms which are typically ignored. Policymakers can use these insights to drive extra focused help and make knowledgeable coverage selections that foster innovation throughout Europe.”
A launchpad for tech champions
So, what’s behind this success? For one, early EU help de-risks breakthrough innovation. Grants give founders the time and house to mature their applied sciences earlier than going through the pressures of enterprise capital.
On high of this, EU programmes additionally present operational help, co-investment alternatives, enterprise acceleration, and connections to company companions. Startups supported by way of these channels present a considerably increased commencement charge between VC rounds than their non-EU-funded friends.
“This discovering validates what many within the trade have lengthy questioned: Can EU grants speed up and enhance the probabilities for early-stage startups? This report concluded that EU help performs a significant function in de-risking the innovation course of. Early-stage grants allow startups to mature their applied sciences earlier than elevating enterprise capital, demonstrating their worth to buyers”, mentioned Vittorio Sambuy, co-author of the report and Dealroom’s Vertical Chief & Platform skilled. “And but, challenges stay in establishing institutional frameworks to help college spinouts and know-how transfers”.
Why visibility nonetheless issues
Regardless of their affect, EU-backed startups stay below the radar, which is a part of the issue. To vary that, the IRB report requires scaled-up visibility and matchmaking instruments. Dealflow.eu, which companions with Dealroom, is among the key platforms named.
“Recognising the complexity of EU databases, we’ve developed a user-friendly platform to simplify entry and higher showcase these startups,” Vittorio Sambuy defined. “Our platform not solely enhances visibility but in addition facilitates seamless connections between high-potential European startups and international buyers, making certain that visibility interprets into actual funding alternatives.”
It’s this type of digital-first infrastructure that might assist bridge the persistent consciousness hole. Extra information, extra transparency, and extra storytelling are all important substances if Europe desires to draw international capital into its startup ecosystem.
What wants to vary
The report closes with 4 clear suggestions for the European Fee:
- Increase startup funding: Enhance the startup allocation in Horizon Europe’s successor (FP10)
- Streamline help: Consolidate entry to fragmented EU programmes into one digitally-accessible and startup-friendly pathway
- Promote visibility: Scale European summits, pitch and demo days
- Leverage digital instruments: Enhance Dealflow.eu and Innovation Radar for real-time insights and matchmaking
An innovation engine that wants extra gas
The IRB report exhibits that Europe’s startup ecosystem already delivers distinctive outcomes, even with a relatively modest public funding. With improved entry to EU programmes, bold capital deployment, and elevated visibility, the complete potential of high-achieving European startups will be unlocked.
For policymakers and buyers alike, it’s time to get on board. As defined by Eoghan O’Neill, Senior Coverage Officer and Undertaking Officer for IRB, “the Innovation Radar Bridge venture will play a key function on this transformation”, with the Innovation Radar platform persevering with to evolve, “providing startups extra exact, focused alternatives that align with their stage and sector”.
Discover the complete Innovation Radar Bridge report right here and uncover the best way to again the subsequent era of European tech champions.
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