Statement on EIC Board statement on synergies

One of the most meaningful aspects of being on the EIC Board is the opportunity to shape policies that unlock real potential.

Last month, we adopted the EIC Board Statement on Synergies — a strategic call to action for aligning national and regional funding with the EIC’s deeptech mission.

It was a privilege to contribute to this document, which outlines tested, scalable models like:
– ERDF transfers (as Lithuania has pioneered),
– national Seal of Excellence funding (with great progress in Slovakia, Poland, Portugal, Bulgaria and Spain),
– and the EIC Plug-In mechanism — a key to accelerating projects across Europe.

As someone working at the intersection of EU policy and regional ecosystems, I see every day how crucial these mechanisms are — especially for countries and founders that are often overlooked.

This is not just about synergy. It’s about unlocking growth where it’s most needed — and making European innovation truly pan-European.

This is about more than funding. It’s about creating a connected innovation Europe — where local ecosystems and European ambition work in sync.

Grateful to my colleagues on the EIC Board — especially Michaela Krskova, Špela Stres, Bart De Moor, Michiel Scheffer, Ewa Kocinska-Lange — for the shared work and vision.