In its statement dated 2 October 2025, the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) addresses key aspects of the European Innovation Act proposed by the EU Commission. The focus is on practical simplifications for companies—irrespective of size or industry—to help foster, test, and scale innovations more efficiently. DIHK recommends eliminating specific barriers for start-ups and scale-ups, while ensuring other business groups are not disadvantaged. Additionally, efficient capital markets, usable IPR financing, innovation-friendly procurement, and easier access to research and technology infrastructures are essential.
Key Points Briefly
- Measures under the Innovation Act should make innovation-related facilitation available to all interested companies.
- An EU-wide definition of "innovative company" is discouraged; it would be impractical and create bureaucracy.
- Companies need easier access to large-scale growth financing and functional capital markets.
- Public procurement should promote innovation, remain technology-open, and be practical.
- Access to research and technological infrastructures and the utilization of publicly funded research should be simplified.
Background
Between July and October 2025, the European Commission conducted a "Call for Evidence" and public consultation on the proposed European Innovation Act. This legislation aims to improve the economic and regulatory framework to better foster, transfer, and scale innovations across Europe. Discussions include EU definitions for "start-ups" and "scale-ups," rules governing regulatory sandboxes, easier access to growth capital, and the use of intellectual property rights (IPR) as collateral. Other focal points include innovation-promoting public procurement, access to research and technology infrastructures, and the utilisation of publicly funded research results.
What Matters for Businesses
- Utilising regulatory sandboxes: Early assessment of whether planned innovations can be tested in appropriate sandboxes. Clarify responsibilities, liability, and compliance.
- Preparing for Financing: Develop IPR strategy.
- Public procurement: Highlight innovation aspects in the proposals through references and certifications, addressing partnership opportunities and requirements early.
- Research Infrastructure: Engage actively with universities, tech centres, and EU platforms, streamline cooperation contracts, and set clear IP rules.
- Access to knowledge and data: Leverage emerging EU databases and transfer offerings; assign internal responsible parties for scouting and transfer functions.
DIHK Recommendations
- Introduce clear, straightforward, and regularly reviewed EU definitions for "start-ups" and "scale-ups" to enhance visibility—without disadvantaging other business groups.
- Avoid an EU-wide definition of "innovative companies" to prevent artificial distinctions, bureaucracy, and exclusions.
- Easier access to large-scale growth funding: Reduce bureaucracy, strengthen and harmonise capital markets, and promote practical use of IPR without over-regulation.
- Incorporate innovation-friendly public procurement within EU procurement directives: Allow more flexibility, technology-agnostic criteria, and streamlined processes.
- Define EU-wide regulatory sandboxes with reliable funding, regulated liability, and strong business involvement; harmonised across borders.
- Improve access to research and technology infrastructures with mechanisms inspired by the "UK Catapult Network" to overcome the "Valley of Death."
- Simplify the use of publicly funded research: ensure low-barrier access to results/IP, implement fair models (e.g., revenue participation post-market readiness), and enhance transparency through EU-wide searchable databases.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the European Innovation Act?
The planned EU act aims to adjust framework conditions to enable faster development, testing, financing, and scaling of innovations – through real-world laboratories, better financing opportunities, and simplified access to infrastructure.
Who benefits from the measures?
Fundamentally, all interested companies. Specific facilitations can particularly benefit start-ups and scale-ups; however, these should not come at the expense of other business groups.
How does IPR-based financing work in practice?
Intellectual property rights (such as patents, trademarks) can serve as collateral if their value is demonstrable. This requires clear valuation approaches, legal certainty, and a focus on market introduction – not merely on strategic IP acquisition.
What are real-world laboratories, and how can one participate?
Real-world laboratories are temporally and spatially limited test environments with relaxed rules to test innovations realistically. Chances of participation increase with thorough preparation (regulations, liability, data protection, evidence) and suitable cooperation partners.
How can suitable research and technology infrastructures be found?
Observe EU and national platforms, networks of the German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (IHKs) and universities. Clarify early access requirements, costs, and IP regulations; cross-border offerings can open up additional options.
Download
DIHK Statement on the European Innovation Act (PDF, 157 KB)(only available in German)
- Relevant in topic:
- Innovation
Released 02.10.2025
Modified 12.03.2026
Contact
Dr. Susanne Gewinnus
Director Industry and Research Policy
Lorenz Kramer
Director Economic Policy in Europe
Lukas Littmann
Head of Section Innovation Policy