First European Forum for Innovative Companies
12 November 1998 - 12 November 1998
Austria
The first European Forum for Innovative Companies takes place in Vienna, Austria, on 12 and 13 November 1998. At the meeting, the Commission's plans for measures to support innovative companies in Europe will be launched and discussed by entrepreneurs, financiers and others with a supporting role. Organised by the European Commission, with the support of the Austrian Presidency of the Council of the EU, the Forum is the conclusion of a year long consultation process launched by Edith Cresson, Commissioner responsible for research and innovation.
Following a round table in Paris, in December 1997, where the main issues were identified, several working groups were set up to explore the major obstacles affecting the development of companies. A second conference, held in Luxembourg in May 1998, allowed wide-ranging discussions of these obstacles, and identified three key areas where difficulties hinder the creation and growth of companies. These were: access to skills, to finance, and to markets.
As a result of the consultation process, a number of measures have been identified for actions at European level, and these will be discussed at the forum. The measures proposed include:
- Establishing a European federation of innovative companies;
- Creating a European innovation network;
- Putting in place a European equivalent to NASDAQ;
- Developing new initiatives in the field of share options and pension schemes;
- Launching new measures to facilitate access to intellectual property, and ease procedures for applications for IPR protection.
The Forum is open by invitation only. Further information may be obtained from:
European Commission
DG XIII - Telecommunications, information market and exploitation of research
Mr Francisco Fernandez
INNOVATION programme
rue Alcide de Gasperi
L-2920 Luxembourg
Fax +352-430135389
E-mail: Francisco.Fernandez@lux.dg13.cec.be
Information may also be found on the CORDIS Website, at:
http://cordis.europa.eu/austria/english/speeches/inter9.html(opens in new window)
Following a round table in Paris, in December 1997, where the main issues were identified, several working groups were set up to explore the major obstacles affecting the development of companies. A second conference, held in Luxembourg in May 1998, allowed wide-ranging discussions of these obstacles, and identified three key areas where difficulties hinder the creation and growth of companies. These were: access to skills, to finance, and to markets.
As a result of the consultation process, a number of measures have been identified for actions at European level, and these will be discussed at the forum. The measures proposed include:
- Establishing a European federation of innovative companies;
- Creating a European innovation network;
- Putting in place a European equivalent to NASDAQ;
- Developing new initiatives in the field of share options and pension schemes;
- Launching new measures to facilitate access to intellectual property, and ease procedures for applications for IPR protection.
The Forum is open by invitation only. Further information may be obtained from:
European Commission
DG XIII - Telecommunications, information market and exploitation of research
Mr Francisco Fernandez
INNOVATION programme
rue Alcide de Gasperi
L-2920 Luxembourg
Fax +352-430135389
E-mail: Francisco.Fernandez@lux.dg13.cec.be
Information may also be found on the CORDIS Website, at:
http://cordis.europa.eu/austria/english/speeches/inter9.html(opens in new window)