Europe faces many challenges: in a world of rising geopolitical tensions and growing competition for industrial value creation, the issue is no longer just growth — but competitiveness, resilience, and strategic sovereignty. The European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) aims to channel investments specifically into future-oriented areas. In four so-called policy windows, investments along the entire value and innovation chain are to be enabled — from research through innovation, scaling and industrial implementation to market entry. The ECF addresses market failures and investment gaps and the need to mobilize more private investment. Innovation and industrial ecosystems are to be strengthened. Through close alignment between the ECF and Horizon Europe coherent support for the EU’s competitiveness is to be provided.
But what does the ECF concretely mean for the Austrian economy, research and politics?
- How do Austria’s strategies (e.g., industrial strategy) and the ECF connect and mutually enforce each other?
- Where do we see links to Austria’s RDI and investment programmes?
- What opportunities do the ECF and Horizon Europe offer to companies and research organisations, and what is needed for the ECF to deliver maximum benefit in Austria in interaction with Horizon Europe?
Agenda
Moderation: FFG
| Time |
Topic |
Speaker |
| 1:30 pm - 1:40 pm |
From the Idea to Global Market – how can this succeed in Austria? |
- Florian Frauscher, Head of Department for Economic development, Innovation and Internationalization, Federal Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism
|
| 1:40 pm - 1:55 pm |
From Fragmentation to Strategic Power – the European Competitiveness Fund |
- Tatiana Lopez-Garrido, Deputy of Unit 'Public investment', DG GROW (tbc)
|
| 1:55 pm - 2:45 pm |
From Policy to Practice: Investment Journeys |
- Johannes Homa, CEO, LITHOZ
- Jodi Barrientos, CEO, RIBBON BIO
- Kurt Kober, CEO, BEYOND GRAVITY AUSTRIA
|
| 2:45 pm - 3:15 pm |
Closing and Take-Aways |
|
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