Hi Nico,

Indeed... valid questions.

For starters I would say that you need AT LEAST a “business-friendly” environment, which includes a tax system that would support innovative companies and start-ups. Harmonizing member state legislations, in combination with tax incentives for R&D is perhaps the winning mix for sustaining a competitive R&D and innovation framework in Europe.

Concerning research: In a European R&D framework, the aim of the research performed has to be crystal clear; either it is long-term basic research or it is industrially-driven applied R&D. Academia has a leading role in the first, and industry in the latter.

EU's new funding framework (Horizon2020) seems to be going in the right direction, with efforts in linking research, innovation with commercialisation and entrepreneurship.

Incubators and clusters have an important role in helping SMEs: start-ups and technology SMEs in general ,are small, fragile and very sensitive to economic downturns and market fluctuations. A large company has the option to down-size; the SME does not. Most importantly, they need to survive the “death valley” period. Clusters can help by introducing economies of scale to these companies (offering a range of services from office space to coaching on how to pitch to VCs).

Nico, Ek great contributions! Do you know any inspiring example of research and innovation funding programs that are more "business friendly" or close to market? One that is sometimes mentioned as good one is SBIR in US http://www.sbir.gov/, but do you know any other?

Tax credits, infrastucture support, etc are definitely important. As for EU support, Horizon2020 (in the making, further to the EC proposal...) aims indeed at better promoting innovation. In this context, the question of Laia is very important: which are the good models of (not necessarily public) funding programmes?

HI there, just wanted to say that as a participant in the Irish 'Innovation Voucher' scheme operated by Enterprise Ireland, I am a convert to small steps that assist small SME's join the Innovation party.

For anyone unfamiliar with the Irish scheme, SME's make application on a fast user-friendly online form to Enterprise Ireland, and if their project / innovation is approved they get a 5,000 euro voucher which they can redeem from a third level educational institute (usually a university).

This was so exciting for us, to work with the LINK team at Dublin City University to develop an App for youth 'voter registration' - this might not sound amazing in itself but it helps lower the access threshold for young disenfranchised persons living on the margins to participate in the democratic process - so simple is sometimes amazing when the goal is social inclusion.

Practical measure to boost entrepreneurship. I like it. Other examples, in Ireland or other countries?

In Ireland there are a range of supports, including the Innovation Voucher identified by Sheila.

There are, firstly a lowering of red tape for start-ups: e.g. a tax return exemption for essentially 2 first years.

There are a range of supports including seed capital to allow founders to recoup employee tax paid to invest as capital in the new company. There are also tax efficient structures for outside investors so they can recoup tax.

Enterprise Ireland helps with marketing programmes, educational programmes, funding for growth to match VC investment, sales supports including access to a network of global offices, etc.

As well as the innovation voucher scheme, there are a range of other progressive supports for R&D investment up to €x00,000 where 1 < x < 5.

An entity called NDRC funds and creates ventures with academia and has had particular success in creating high growth ventures with deep IP products/services. It is a model I believe could work well in the context of Horizon2020. They run a range of programmes from weekend bootcamps, to 3 month accelerators, to longer co-developments.