Supporting Mid-Sized Innovative Companies

Strategic Importance

Building European Innovation Champions

• Focus on developing mid-sized innovative companies with growth potential
• Bridge the gap between startups and large corporations
• Create European alternatives to solutions from US and China
• Support companies with potential for global impact

Economic and Technological Sovereignty

• Reduce dependency on non-European technology providers
• Develop strategic capabilities in key sectors
• Retain intellectual property and value within Europe
• Create high-value jobs across the EU

Public Sector as Innovation Partner

Government as First Customer

• Use public institutions as testing grounds for innovative solutions
• Implement RTLS (Real-Time Location System) solutions in hospitals to improve logistics
• Deploy autonomous cleaning systems for cities
• Test self-driving buses in controlled municipal environments

Strategic Procurement

• Redesign public procurement to support innovation
• Create “innovation lanes” in public tenders
• Develop pre-commercial procurement processes
• Balance value-for-money with innovation potential

Implementation Models

Innovation Sandboxes

• Allow testing of new technologies in real-world but controlled environments
• Create regulatory exceptions for experimental deployments
• Develop frameworks for responsible innovation
• Implement robust evaluation mechanisms

Public Infrastructure Modernization

• Relocate government institutions to modern buildings with innovative features
• Design public spaces as showcases for European technology
• Implement smart navigation in administrative complexes
• Create models for public/private collaborative spaces

Scaling Mechanisms

Pan-European Growth Support

• Develop programs specifically targeting mid-sized companies with proven solutions
• Create pathways to scale across multiple EU countries
• Provide administrative support for cross-border expansion
• Simplify compliance requirements for scaling companies

Export Assistance

• Help European innovators export solutions globally
• Create showcases of European innovation for international markets
• Develop diplomatic support for technology exports
• Build partnerships with development banks for emerging market deployment

Strategic Sectors

Healthcare Innovation

• Focus on solutions that address aging population challenges
• Support RTLS and other logistics optimization for hospitals
• Develop remote monitoring and telemedicine solutions
• Create efficient systems for chronic disease management

Urban Technology

• Support autonomous urban cleaning solutions
• Develop smart waste management systems
• Create efficient public transportation innovations
• Implement energy efficiency technologies for public buildings

Robotics and Automation

• Focus on practical robotics applications with immediate benefits
• Support companies developing automation for European manufacturing
• Develop solutions for care and assistance robotics
• Create standards for human-robot collaboration

Financing Models

Patient Growth Capital

• Develop funding mechanisms with longer time horizons
• Create alternatives to venture capital for steady-growth companies
• Implement innovative financing through public-private partnerships
• Design success-based repayment systems

Scale-Up Funding

• Address the “valley of death” between startup and large-scale funding
• Create specific instruments for companies with €5-50M revenue
• Develop sector-specific funding packages
• Balance equity, debt, and grants appropriately

Implementation Framework

Local-European Coordination

• Create multi-level support systems connecting local, national and EU programs
• Develop coherent support pathways for growing companies
• Implement “no wrong door” approach to business support
• Reduce administrative burden through unified processes

Evaluation and Learning

• Implement robust metrics for measuring program effectiveness
• Create feedback loops for continuous improvement
• Share success stories and best practices
• Develop knowledge transfer mechanisms between member states