The EIT joins high level delegation to Silicon Valley

On 21 and 22 March 2023, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth Mariya Gabriel is leading a high level delegation of over 40 entrepreneurs, university rectors, investors, innovation actors, and policy makers to Silicon Valley in San Francisco, California. She is joined by EIT Governing Board Member Nora Khaldi and EIT Digital CEO Federico Menna.

During these first European Innovation Days, the delegation will engage with the Silicon Valley innovation community. It will seek to attract talent, increase investments in Europe, share best practices among senior executives in open innovation and venture capital, and bridge the gap between the two ecosystems. The European Innovation Agora provides a unique opportunity for venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, investors, and businesses to share their perspectives of the European innovation model.

Europe is now on equal footing with Silicon Valley in the area of ground-breaking deep tech innovations. Together with a high level delegation, we are launching the first EU Innovation Days in the Silicon Valley. We will promote innovation by investing in R&I, creating favourable policies, and supporting entrepreneurship to attract talents and increase investments in Europe. The Innovation Talent Platform is a further step in the right direction.

-- Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth

During her visit, Commissioner Gabriel will also launch an Innovation Talent Platform under the New European Innovation Agenda (Europe's initiative to spearhead the next wave of innovation in industries like sustainable energy, aerospace, automotive, health, security, and bio-diversity). The Platform has the aim of attracting talent and increasing investment in Europe. It will help European businesses, including start-ups, attract talent from outside the EU, offering new opportunities to the EU labour market. During phase one, the platform will offer information about funding opportunities, the EU Blue Card, and contact points in several countries, as well as a digital tool kit for start-ups, helping them launch their businesses in the EU. During phase two, it will serve as a matchmaking tool for innovators, entrepreneurs, and talent across the globe who wish to create, work, and live in Europe.