Commission study identifies Europe’s top ICT hubs
A new EU atlas of ICT hotspots has revealed where digital technologies thrive. The report published by the European Commission has also examined the factors contributing to their success.
According to the report, most of Europe’s ICT activity takes place in just 34 regions across 12 countries. Key ingredients to success include access to top universities and research centres, and funding opportunities such as venture capital.
Neelie Kroes, European Commission Vice-President responsible for the Digital Agenda, said: “This is proof that digital success comes through a willingness to invest, an open mindset for innovation, and planning. Europe needs to build these values today to be a global leader in technology.”
Eight out of the ten top regions for computer science graduates were found in the UK, while Germany ranks first in research and patenting activity. Lisbon in Portugal and Rzeszowski in Poland have the fastest employment growth rates, whilst Munich, Paris, and London attract the most venture capital.
A region’s ICT excellence is linked to research and development activities, the ability to take knowledge to market (innovation), and to building an intense business activity around this innovation. It seems that ICT thriving regions are mostly long standing industrial areas; have high standard educational institutions and other key innovation players; have long term policies on research and innovation; have enjoyed historical opportunities (such as being the political national capitals); and tend to cluster together (half of the 34 poles of excellence are neighbouring regions). This effect is also observed in places like the Silicon Valley, United States, Bangalore, India, and Changzhou, China.
