EIT Director spoke at Webit Festival Europe
EITMartin Kern, the Interim Director of the EIT, spoke today at the Webit Festival Europe.
In a talk with Plamen Russev, Founder & Chairman of the Webit Foundation, Martin Kern discussed the many successes the EIT and its Innovation Communities have achieved thus far, pointing to specific examples such as Konux, Plume Labs, Furhat Robotics and Tado.
Mr Kern also pointed to the practical help that start-ups receive. A constant issue for these ventures is funding, so the EIT provides (in addition to some funding) training on how to pitch to potential investors and clients. As Mr Kern explained, 'This is so crucial to success. [tweetable]In all areas of life we get maybe one chance, and maybe only 60 seconds, to explain an idea.[/tweetable] Those 60 seconds have to contain the idea, the benefits, why it’s needed and why people would want it. That is a truly difficult task, it’s really tough, and so we have professionals who train our entrepreneurs how to pitch. This is the famous elevator pitch.'
During the discussion, Mr Kern also put to rest the comparison that is often made between the EIT and MIT. 'Let’s not compare apples and pears. But if you want to compare, let’s check some facts: the MIT was founded in 1861, the EIT started in 2010. The MIT’s budget is EUR 13 billion annually for a single location. The EIT has now EUR 400 million per year for the whole of Europe. MIT has 1000 staff, the EIT has 65 staff. Do you expect the same results? '
Background
Mr Kern spoke at the top tier SUMMIT of WEBIT.FESTIVAL, Chaired by the President of Bulgaria and co-hosted by the Head of the European Commission Representation in Bulgaria. The summit aims to address some of the major challenges the humankind faces in today's Digital age.
The event is invitation only highest level event gathering political leaders (e.g. Presidents, Vice Presidents and top European political leaders), top entrepreneurs and founders, Nobel Laureates, scientists and innovators along with top enterprise executives from Europe and rest of the world. [source: WEBIT Festival Europe]
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