The European Consortium of Innovative Universities (ECIU) welcomes the European Innovation Act and its ambition to create a more coherent, innovation-friendly regulatory landscape that boosts competitiveness and strengthens Europe’s innovation ecosystem. Drawing on the first-hand experience of its innovation-driven member universities, ECIU contributed to the EU’s public consultation on the Act, highlighting the practical realities and opportunities for innovation across sectors.

To unlock the full potential of innovation, ECIU urges the European Union and its Member States to better support the movement of ideas from research to real-world impact — not only in industry but also in public institutions like universities, which play a pivotal role in large-scale adoption and societal transformation.

Yet, universities face persistent barriers that limit their ability to act as engines of innovation. Procurement rules often favour the lowest-cost bids, discouraging early adoption of emerging technologies. Fragmented national regulations complicate cross-border collaboration, and inconsistent interpretations of State Aid rules hinder IP transfer from publicly funded research.

Access to finance is another major challenge. Ambiguities in IP valuation and limited non-dilutive capital restrict the growth of spin-outs and start-ups. ECIU calls for a clarification of rules for IPR-backed financing and stronger support for Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs).

‍

ECIU’s key recommendations for a stronger European innovation ecosystem:

‍

Modernise public procurement

• Shift focus from cost to value and impact. Enable joint procurement across Member States and introduce fast-track procedures for pre-commercial procurement (PCP).

Clarify and coordinate innovation frameworks

• Establish unified definitions and legal clarity to avoid fragmentation and ensure consistent interpretation across Member States, especially in areas like State Aid and IP transfer.

Strengthen access to finance

• Increase public investment in innovation and develop financing mechanisms beyond venture capital, including support for IPR-backed and non-dilutive funding.

Enable effective IPR policies and commercialisation

• Promote flexible IPR arrangements that support spin-outs and collaborations. Address conflicts between university and buyer policies, and invest in well-resourced TTOs.

Support talent mobility and infrastructure access

• Create environments that allow researchers to move between academia and industry. Remove legal barriers to accessing labs, platforms, and digital tools essential for innovation.

Invest in strategic technologies

• While bottom-up research remains vital, targeted investment in strategic areas is needed to enhance EU sovereignty, resilience, and competitiveness.

ECIU stands ready to work with EU institutions, Member States, and innovation stakeholders to turn the European Innovation Act into a catalyst for transformation. By removing barriers and empowering universities, Europe can unlock its full innovation potential.

‍