If we want to overcome Europe’s innovation deficit and improve the impact from our wealth
of knowledge and ideas, we need to improve our support on the journey from knowledge
to innovation and market creation. There are many best practice examples, such as
turning campuses into innovation ecosystems, and connecting students and PHDs with
entrepreneurship centres. However, if we want to tap into the full potential, we need to do
more: we must overcome the innovation divide in Europe which is still very significant.
The other huge potential lies within an increased investment in women-led VC funds, startups
and businesses. I am very proud that we could dedicate our EUTOP50 initiative which started
a few years ago with a pitching competition in a plenary hall of a Parliament, the Hemicycle of
the European Parliament, to demonstrate during a whole day, the power of women in business.
Together with our Chair, Maria da Graça Carvalho, and our political members , the European
Partnerships, EIT KICs, universities and other innovation accelerators, we are keen to work with
Commissioner Mariya Gabriel to make the European Innovation Area a success story for the
benefit of Europe, our citizens, enterprises and common values.
We need a stronger Europe with better
innovation, with mission-led innovation. We
need innovative and diverse innovation.
We are missing opportunities and talent by
excluding women and minorities from the
innovation conversation. The current situation
today that only 2% of women led companies
are receiving funding is unacceptable. We
need to have open, connected, inclusive
innovation ecosystems and need to accept
innovation to be not only technology-driven.
We need women and diversity in all levels
of our European innovation ecosystems, in
funds, VCs, business angels, mentors, industry
Jara Pascual
Founder & CEO Collabwith, Board
Member Forum Knowledge4Innovation,
Co-founder Managing Director TWOO
The Wominvest Observatory
leaders, academic, innovation managers,
business developers, and other ecosystem
supporting organizations. The type of
communication should be considered neutral,
and code of conducts should be mandatory
to increase respect for everyone working
in innovation. We have the responsibility to
balance the unbalance, to bridge the gap of
investment of innovation, because money is
power. If we invest in women, we empower
women. Everyone is creative, and every voice
counts to create a better society and a positive
future in Europe.