EIC and EISMEA Director on European Innovation Ecosystem

Momchil Sabev, Director of the European Innovation Council (EIC) and the SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA), discussed the role of public institutions in Europe's startup ecosystem. He highlighted the importance of diverse professional experience in supporting ambitious founders and implementing systemic changes across the continent.

The discussion focused on the the EIC's impact in DeepTech and the hurdles startups face when scaling internationally. Sabev emphasized that non-financial support, including mentorship, strategic partnerships, and access to expertise, is as transformative as direct funding.

EISMEA and the EIC are working to reduce fragmentation in the innovation ecosystem, specifically targeting startups from less-connected regions to ensure a more even distribution of opportunities across Europe. The goal is to create a more integrated, competitive, and founder-friendly environment over the next decade.