The reports by Mario Draghi and Manuel Heitor have shown that the innovation gap between Europe and its international competitors is widening. To ensure that Europe remains self-determined and economically strong in future, competitiveness and the promotion of innovation must be at the heart of the European economic agenda. But how can we develop and deliver more products ‘Made in the EU’? Does the new research framework programme provide the right impetus for this? And how can we ensure a greater participation by SMEs and start-ups in Europe's innovation ecosystem?

Michael Kaschke, Präsident, Stifterverband

Peter Leibinger, Präsident, BDI

Kathleen O’Brien, Chief Technology Officer, Siemens Energy

Thomas Reith, Standortleiter von Biberach, Boehringer Ingelheim Deutschland

Andreas Schwarz, Head of Cabinet of Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation

Jennifer Sarah Boone, Moderatorin