During the so-called ‘Innovation Days’, the Commissioner aimed to showcase and demonstrate to the local innovation actors how Europe has become a vibrant innovation ecosystem in ground-breaking deep-tech innovations, whilst offering a balanced, attractive and affordable lifestyle. The EIC was part of a wider delegation of European innovation eco-system partners, including the European Institute for Innovation and Technology, European universities and corporates as well as mayors and other members of the ‘coalition of the willing’.

The EIC was represented by chairman of the Board Mark Ferguson, Board members Kinga Stanislawska and Jan Goetz, as well as two EIC beneficiaries, Svilen Rangelov, CEO of Dronamics and Maye Walraven from InnovaFeed. They participated in several discussions for an audience of local investors, entrepreneurs and deep-tech talent to discuss issues as the stable regulatory framework in the EU, well-developed public innovation support systems, the availability of highly skilled academic talent and growing support for female led start-ups.

The delegation left Silicon Valley with a positive feeling regarding the opportunities for stronger collaboration with Silicon Valley innovation actors and a growing interest of US talent and investors to engage with European deep-tech start-ups.