EU Startups and scale up strategy - with a focus on European Innovation Act

Practical information

• Composition of the study group
• Administrator in charge: Jana VALANT
  Assistant: Catia ZIZZI
• For more information please contact the INT Section Secretariat.

Background

This exploratory opinion on the request of the Cyprus Council presidency is focused on the implementation of the Startups and Scaleup Strategy, with particular emphasis on the forthcoming European Innovation Act (EIA), planned for 2026. The EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy seeks to make Europe the leading hub for launching and expanding global technology-driven companies, including deep tech ventures. A central element in achieving these goals is the forthcoming EIA, which is set to promote regulatory sandboxes, providing innovators with controlled environments to test new ideas, while offering common legal principles for cross-border and sector-specific sandboxes.

The EESC opinion is to address the following key questions:

1. How can the harmonization of regulatory sandboxes foster company growth while safeguarding the rights and interests of employees and consumers, and at the same time respecting the specific circumstances of each Member State?

2. What measures could better facilitate companies’ cross border access to research and technology infrastructures?

3. How can fast-track procedures for public procurement of R&I services ensure full compliance with collective bargaining agreements, by putting all companies on an equal footing?

The EESC’s contribution will provide crucial guidance to EU institutions and Member States in shaping future initiatives.