Is Europe innovating fast enough?

Is Europe innovating fast enough?

I am a proud European. Undoubtedly, it is a continent with a fascinating mix of cultures, geography, and cuisines. 

More than that, Europe also has an exciting innovation 💡landscape. In the past few months, this landscape has been filled with innovation around deep tech, AI, sustainability, and digital transformation. 

Switzerland, the UK and Northern European countries, like Sweden and Finland, are frontrunners (Global Innovation Index), but the latest European Innovation Scoreboard shows that progress is happening in up to 15 EU member states. 

At the same time, stakeholders are calling for more research 🔬and innovation funding💰 at EU and national level. 

The latest figures from the European Commission showed Europe’s innovation performance is growing more slowly than in China. Also, it's not the same everywhere: there are strong internal geographical differences.

But you can all find facts and figures online - so 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘥𝘥 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸.

It's a sign of the times, all (innovation) eyes are looking at green and sustainable technologies, such as electrification and renewable energy technologies. 

Better so, if we want to meet the goals of the Green Deal. 

I saw a masterclass in sustainable innovation during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. 

Let me explain this. Paris set a new standard for sustainable events, and the visitors could feel it. 95% of venues were repurposed or built with eco-friendly materials, minimizing environmental impact. Temporary structures like the Beach Volley venue were designed for reuse, further reducing the Games' footprint.

Certainly, Europe is making strides in innovation, especially with green tech. But we can't stop here. The world is changing fast, and we need to keep up at all levels. Individuals, corporations or public sector - everyone has a part to play.

This is the last episode of series by the #OpenDoorInnovation community looking at what's the innovation vibe like in India, Middle East, South America and Europe. Check out the others too 👇

#tlchange #innovation #europe

[Book a consultation]