LERU, EARTO and EUA to hold joint innovation event

On 10 March 2014, the League of European Research Universities (LERU), the European Association of Research and Technology Organisations (EARTO), and the European University Association (EUA) will jointly organise a fringe session at the 2014 Innovation Convention in Brussels to discuss how research partnerships are expanding innovation growth in Europe.

During the fringe session, Professor Reinhilde Veugelers, of KU Leuven in Belgium, the European Research Council Scientific Council and Bruegel, will elaborate on the main conclusions of her recent study that closely examines what actions are needed in Europe in order to turn on the innovation growth machine. Since “the policies aimed at raising R&D expenditure across all types of industries and companies do not address the root causes of Europe´s innovation deficit”, Veugelers will present some of the policies that should be developed, particularly the need for firms with highly innovative growth projects to access early-stage risk finance and to develop industry-science links.

Veugelers said: “It is often claimed that the US is not only fortunate to have top research universities producing frontier research, but that its top research universities are also much better in developing complex interactions with the world of business.”

LERU, EARTO and the EUA will also participate in fringe events at the conference in Belgium.