Public innovation funding is one of the most powerful tools for accelerating scientific and technological progress across Germany and Europe, yet many researchers, innovators, and early-stage start-ups are still unaware of how rapidly the funding landscape has evolved and how strategically aligned programs can turn ideas into tangible impact more efficiently than ever before. Drawing on 25 years of experience of EurA AG in supporting research and innovation projects across disciplines, this talk provides a comprehensive overview of the most relevant national and European funding opportunities, highlighting how these programs support all stages of research and development, from early-stage discovery and proof of concept to university spin-offs, start-ups, SMEs, and later-stage scale-up. It also addresses how funding can help overcome critical gaps during commercialization, often referred to as the “valley of death,” which can present a significant hurdle for highly innovative solutions such as novel MedTech and Life Science applications across Europe.

Public funding fosters collaboration through networks, consortia, and clusters, supports knowledge exchange and technology transfer, and accelerates the translation of research into viable products and services. Using practical examples, current trends, and best practices from collaborative projects, the session provides insights into how funding programs can be navigated strategically, combined effectively, and leveraged to maximize both scientific and economic impact. Learn strategies to access national and European funding, align research with strategic priorities, and transform MedTech, Life Sciences, and other high-tech innovations into solutions that advance Europe’s innovation ecosystem.