The European Commission has just launched an ambitious strategy, aimed at making the Union a true hub for innovative companies capable of competing globally. It speaks of talent, investment, removing barriers, and fostering an ecosystem where a startup can grow without having to leave.
At BFFood, we not only see this strategy as good news, but we also see in it a reflection of the approaches we have been implementing for years in Galicia, based on our open innovation model and public-private collaboration in the food sector. Because this new strategy confirms something of great importance: creating the conditions for innovative projects to consolidate requires vision, action, and strong commitment.
EUROPE’S COMMITMENT
The new EU strategy, titled “Open for Startups & Scaleups”, proposes a paradigm shift: moving from a Europe where entrepreneurship exists to a Europe where it thrives. The objective is clear: to transform the European Union into a global powerhouse for creating and scaling technological and innovative companies. To achieve this, the strategy is structured around five main areas of action:
Funding commensurate with ambitions
Many European startups fail to scale simply due to lack of capital. For this reason, the EU is strengthening the European Innovation Council, creating the Scaleup Europe Fund, and launching the Innovation Investment Pact, a pact to mobilize public and private resources that provide stability and traction to projects with global potential.
A favorable regulatory environment
Simplifying procedures, cutting bureaucracy, and creating instruments such as the European Business Wallet will make creating and managing a company in Europe as agile as in other markets. This also includes the launch of a “28th regime,” a single, simpler, and more efficient European regulatory framework.
Market and adoption: from lab to market
The strategy seeks to accelerate the market entry of innovations through the Lab-to-Unicorn initiative and the promotion of innovative public procurement. Europe wants research and entrepreneurial talent to translate into real products, solid companies, and solutions that improve people’s lives.
Attracting and retaining global talent
Europe is launching the Blue Carpet initiative to facilitate the entry and integration of highly qualified founders, researchers, and technical profiles. Training and professional pathways within the EU are also being strengthened to prevent the loss of local talent.
Infrastructure and support networks
The development of an Access Charter will help ensure that startups have access to the infrastructure, services, and networks they need at each stage of their evolution, from initial prototypes to internationalization.
Overall, it is a strategy aimed at transforming the European ecosystem into a more competitive, connected, and prepared place to retain value, employment, and technology within the territory.
IN GALICIA, WE ARE ALREADY ON THAT PATH
At the Galician Food Cluster, through Business Factory Food, we have been on that path for years, working under the principles now included in the European strategy. At BFFood, we accelerate, consolidate, and support innovative entrepreneurship in the food sector with concrete tools: access to funding, sectoral mentoring, strategic training, internationalization support, connection with leading companies, and real market opportunities.
We do this with a vertical vision, focused on the food sector, but with a transversal and European approach. We are committed to the sustainable growth of projects and contribute to strengthening an innovation ecosystem that generates employment, technology, and economic and social value.
So, Europe moving forward on this path is excellent news for our ecosystem, for Galicia, and for the projects that trust BFFood. This validates a way of working that leads us to be part of a stronger, more innovative, and more cohesive Europe.
