The Economic Council of the CDU discusses EU Start-up and Innovation Policy with Andreas Schwarz, Head of Cabinet to Commissioner Zaharieva
The European Commission has set ambitious goals to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness as an innovation hub in the context of the new Multiannual Financial Framework. The Research and Innovation Policy aim to reinforce Europe’s innovation base. The new EU Start-up and Scale-up Strategy also contributes to this and sends a clear signal: starting a business should become easier, innovative ideas should scale faster, and investments in Europe should become more attractive. The decisive factor will be whether young companies are given the necessary space and support to turn ideas into market-ready solutions and thereby securing Europe’s future as a leading centre of innovation.
In this context, on 15 October 2025, the Brussels Regional Association of the Economic Council of the CDU was pleased to welcome Andreas Schwarz, Head of Cabinet to Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva (Start-ups, Research and Innovation), as guest speaker at a discussion event titled “The EU Research and Innovation Policy and Start-up Strategy.”
The event was moderated by Silke Wettach, who in her opening remarks underlined the importance of “creative destruction” as a driving force for economic progress. She noted that Europe has yet to fully embrace this concept as a catalyst for growth and innovation. The subsequent discussion with Mr Schwarz aimed to explore how Europe can better harness this dynamic to strengthen its start-up ecosystem.
In his keynote speech, Andreas Schwarz highlighted both the challenges and opportunities currently facing start-ups and scale-ups in Europe. He emphasized their systemic importance for Europe’s economic vitality and addressed the low level of venture capital investment across the EU. If this trend continues, he cautioned, Europe risks falling further behind the United States and China, not only in economic performance but also in technological development and global influence.
Nevertheless, Mr Schwarz expressed optimism about Europe’s potential to counter act this trend. He stressed that Europe possesses all the prerequisites to succeed, provided it takes decisive action to unlock the full potential of its start-up and scale-up sectors. To this end, he outlined four key European Commission initiatives: the Start-up and Scale-up Strategy, the 28th Regime, Start-up and Scale-up Hubs, and the Scale-up Europe Fund.
The 28th Regime seeks to simplify and digitalize the registration process for start-ups. However, Mr Schwarz acknowledged that the proposal may face challenges from the EU Council, Member States, and the European Parliament, depending on its final scope. The Start-up and Scale-up Hub’s initiative aims to foster stronger connections among leading European innovation hubs such as Munich and Copenhagen, creating a more integrated ecosystem. The Scale-up Europe Fund, financed through a mix of public and private resources and managed by an independent investment advisor, will focus on deep-tech start-ups and scale-ups. With an initial volume of €5 billion, the fund currently counts six to seven investors and expects to attract two to three more. A first meeting between the Commission and all investors will take place on 28 October to agree on the investment strategy and to select the fund’s investment advisor.
Following Mr Schwarz’s remarks, Astrid Hamker, President of the Economic Council of the CDU, addressed the audience. She reaffirmed the need for swift action to strengthen Europe’s start-up and scale-up landscape and underscored their vital role in maintaining Europe’s competitiveness. The Economic Council of the CDU, she said, welcomes and supports the Commission’s efforts to improve the economic and regulatory framework for innovation. Ms Hamker called for a renewed commitment to strengthening innovation, empowering entrepreneurs, and emphasised the importance of the principles of the social market economy.
After the keynote addresses, Mr Schwarz engaged in a lively Q&A session with Ms Wettach and the audience. The discussion covered a range of topics, including how to foster a start-up-friendly mindset in Europe, insights from Mr Schwarz’s recent trip to GITEX Global in Dubai, the challenges surrounding the 28th Regime, and the growing relevance of the defence industry in Europe’s start-up landscape.
The event concluded with Corinna Grajetzky, Chairwoman of the Brussels Regional Association of the Economic Council of the CDU, who thanked Mr Schwarz and Ms Wettach for coming. She emphasized the Economic Council of the CDU’s commitment to remain an active partner of the European Commission during the implementation of the Start-up and Scale-up Strategy, contributing its insights and support to ensure its success.
