15 YEARS | KNOWLEDGE4INNOVATION IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
06 | INNOVATORS MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2024
“The 7th European Innovation Summit is
an important moment for discussion on
how European innovation can contribute
to our continent’s competitiveness and to
solving global challenges. I would like to see
Europe go further and faster towards open
innovation.”
Carlos Moedas, Former European
Commissioner for Research, Science and
Innovation
K4I showcases start-ups in the European
Parliament
In 2017 the K4I Forum organises the first ever,
and to date only, startup pitching competition
in a parliamentary plenary hall, the Hemicycle
of the European Parliament. From 300
preselected startups it invites the ‘EUTOP50’
to pitch innovations to a panel of policymakers
and industry leaders.
Together for impact
Collaborating with the European Institute
for Innovation and Technology (EIT) - and
in particular EIT RawMaterials - the K4I
Forum helps create a playing field where
European innovators can thrive. It is K4I Forum
chair, Maria da Graça Carvalho who is the
Rapporteur for the review of the EIT Regulation
EUTOP50 Startup Pitching Competition, Hemicycle, European Parliament, 2017
EIT leadership discussing “How the EIT KICs will shape the future
of innovation in Europe” at 11th EIS.
“Let me frst of all congratulate you for having
been selected to be one of the EU Top 50
start-ups. All of you have shown the potential
to disrupt a billion-dollar marketplace
and make an impact on society, which is
impressive. You can certainly be proud to be
here today.”
Günther Oettinger, Commissioner for Digital
Economy and Society
Inaugural AI & big data for Innovation
Summit
In 2019 the K4I Forum launches the first AI
& big data for Innovation Summit. And AI
is now one of the focal points of its events
programme, supported through its close
cooperation with the appliedAI Institute for
Europe initiative.
Collaborative action
During and after the Covid shut down, the
Forum works closely with then Commissioner
Mariya Gabriel to develop the European
Innovation Area initiative and the New
European Innovation Agenda which develops
in parallel.