At the European Parliament, Maria da Graça Carvalho hosted the conference "Celebrating Success - Meet the EIT Award winners - An investment in Europe's entrepreneurial future".
The objective of the meeting, which was organized by Science and Business, was to underline the importance of entrepreneurship for growth in Europe and meant an opportunity for the finalists to meet with policy makers. During her intervention, Maria da Graça Carvalho said that EIT is a "new but very promising programme, and the only EU Commission funded programme that combines education, research and innovation".
Agenda:
- 09h00 - Welcome address, Maria da Graca Carvalho, MEP
- 09h10 - About the EIT Awards: Alexander von Gabain, Chair, EIT Governing Board
- 09h20 - Introducing ... the EIT Award Winners - Followed by Q&A with the winners, moderated by Daria Golebiowska-Tataj
- 10h00 - So you want to be an entrepreneur: Are you crazy? The 6 other EIT finalists, plus 12 finalists in the Academic Enterprise Awards, are introduced.
- Open discussion with all the entrepreneurs of the challenges and opportunities in starting your own business, moderated by Richard L. Hudson, Science|Business
- 10h30 - Panel: Can the EIT help? What could it do to make it easier to start a company?: Marisa Matias MEP