EuroTech universities call for start-up funding

More funding should be made available for university-incubated start-up businesses that have received proof-of-concept funding from the EU, a policy paper from the EuroTech Universities Alliance has said.

Proof-of-concept funding schemes for innovative ventures in the EU do not typically have mechanisms for winning follow-on funding, according to Nurturing The Entrepreneurs Of Tomorrow, published on 30 June. 

This lack of development funding can be a significant challenge for early-stage innovative ventures, the paper says, and it therefore calls for mechanisms to be established to further support successful ventures. EU proof-of-concept initiatives must also be flexible enough to adapt to local needs, the paper adds.