Lobbying Activity
Response to European Innovation Act
3 Oct 2025
German universities fulfil their mandate to society through research and teaching and, on that foundation, through systematic knowledge and technology transfer. The scale and direction of effects can be described with a few core indicators: In 2023, universities generated 2,927 university-origin start-ups (+5.3% vs 2021), including 1,184 rooted in structured knowledge/tech transfer and 290 patent-based ventures. The research base that feeds this pipeline is substantial: higher-education R&D expenditure reached 22.4 bn in 2023, allowing frontier inquiry and mission-driven work to coexist within the same institutions. Translation into protectable intellectual property is visible: universities account for at least 1.9% of German patent applications and around 6% of European patent applications filed from Germany, signalling readiness for commercial development in knowledge-intensive fields. Cooperation with business is not incidental but financially material: in 2022, industry provided 14.7% of German university third-party funding, approximately 1.5 bn, underwriting collaborative research, prototyping and talent development. Alongside formal transfer offices and incubators, these partnerships are complemented by teaching and training: graduates and doctoral researchers provide the skills base that European firms and start-ups require. Taken together, the figures above describe a system that already delivers measurable outcomes while remaining grounded in its core academic mission. Appropriate frameworks should therefore focus on enabling conditions rather than redefining roles: support predictable, well-governed collaboration; respect institutional autonomy and the core missions of research and education; and recognise universities proven contribution to Europes innovation capacity. HRK proposes the following actions to boost start-ups and scale-ups in Europe that will make universities in Germany and beyond even more successful in this field: Inclusive Governance ensure university representatives are systematically included in the bodies that guide and monitor implementation of the Act, so on-the-ground insights inform policy adjustments. State Aid Safe Harbour for University Startup Support a block exemption regulation that permits publicly funded universities to provide incubation services, equity participation and de risked loans without individual notifications, thereby eliminating months of legal uncertainty and administrative burden. Charter of Access to Research Infrastructures a statutory right for academic spin outs and SMEs to use EU funded pilot lines and clean room facilities on fair, published terms, lowering prototype costs and accelerating TRL maturation. Erasmus+ Innovation-Skills Pathways develop Erasmus+ actions that bridge research, innovation and education, giving students and early-career researchers exposure to real-world innovation environments. University Innovation-Triangle Hubs support Europes universities to become regional champions of innovation by bringing together research, innovation and talent Blue Carpet initiative and EU Visa Strategy a Europe-wide fast track entry and residence scheme for researchers and deep tech founders that can cut recruitment times allowing universities and start ups to compete globally for scarce skills. Freedom of Knowledge, Data and Innovators embedding secure knowledge transfer, friction less data flows into Single Market law to remove cross border frictions and speed up collaborative R&D and commercialisation. Scale Up Financing Beyond Seed ensure in a balanced funding landscape accessible, well resourced follow on finance e.g., through the EIC and forthcoming Scale Up Europe facilities so university spin outs can raise SeriesA and B capital to turn cutting edge ideas into successful businesses.
Read full responseMeeting with Olivér Várhelyi (Commissioner) and
7 May 2025 · Visit of factory site of H+H Maslanka