James Willats MRes (Education)’s Post

A Look at Economic Action Plans in Europe Recently, the Estonian Ministry of Economic Affairs unveiled its economic policy plan, aiming to create a business-friendly environment and support emerging sectors through collaboration between ministries and entrepreneurs. However, critics argue that the plan needs teeth. Despite this, Estonia's efforts have yielded significant results. In 2023, the Estonian Investment Agency's foreign investment department facilitated over 336 million euros in foreign investments, showcasing the country's appeal to international investors. Several European countries and regions have implemented similar economic action plans to attract investors and stimulate growth: • Germany's Industry 4.0 Initiative: Germany's Industry 4.0 initiative promotes digitalization in manufacturing, integrating cyber-physical systems, IoT, and cloud computing. Through technology investment and industry-research collaboration, Germany aims to lead in global manufacturing. • France's French Tech Initiative: France's French Tech Initiative fosters its startup ecosystem through tax incentives, funding, and tech hubs in cities like Paris. By nurturing startups and attracting talent, France aims for European tech leadership. • The Netherlands' StartupDelta Initiative: The Netherlands' StartupDelta initiative fosters its startup ecosystem through funding, mentorship, and collaboration. By supporting startups, the country aims for innovation and economic growth. • Stockholm’s Flowering Tech Scene: According to the FVCA - Pääomasijoittajat Finnish Venture Capital Association , Sweden is the second largest European country in terms of investment volume in startups and early-growth companies, and the majority of these investments are Stockholm-based. According to SparkLabs Group, Stockholm is the 3rd Top Start-up Hub in the world, just behind Beijing (China) and Silicon Valley (USA). These economic action plans have successfully attracted investment, fostered innovation, and driven economic growth in their respective countries and regions. By prioritizing key sectors, investing in infrastructure and talent, and fostering collaboration between stakeholders, these initiatives have helped Europe maintain its competitiveness in the global economy. -------- Here's five ways we (QLA) can help you scale: 1) Transactions (M&A); https://qla.ee/en/ 2) We specialize in providing investors and VCs access to exclusive deal flow in overlooked markets. Currently, we're in the process of closing a couple of fund rounds within the next 2-3 weeks; https://qla.fund/ 3) Quantum Leap Acquisition System for Financial Advisors and Insurance Agents; https://qla.group/ 4) Apply for funding through grants; https://lnkd.in/dJ-7ZNYP 5) Develop benefits and pension packages for employees that adhere to ESG regulations and directives; https://qlainsurance.ee #vc #global #investments

📣 New research alert The UK boasts a dynamic #startup ecosystem, representing the leading hub for #venturecapital in Europe. 🚀 Barclays Eagle Labs’ new report highlights the resilience of UK #startups despite being impacted by challenging economic headwinds in 2022 and 2023. Key findings include:  📈 High-growth UK companies secured more deals in 2023 than in 2019 and 2020.  💰 Strong investment pipeline from crowdfunding and the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS).  👩💼👨💼 Increased support for all-female and mixed-gender founder teams, driven by initiatives like the Barclays Female Founders Accelerator. Independent Advisory Board (IAB) member and BVCA’s Head of Venture Capital, Chris Elphick, contributed to the report writing that the UK is well-positioned to excel in #ClimateTech, #AI, and #LifeSciences but needs proper frameworks to remain competitive. The government supports this through initiatives like the Digital Growth Grant (DGG) from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) as well as the #MansionHouseCompact and related initiatives which can help drive greater levels of investment.  Read the full report here – https://lnkd.in/eFBxyxTi Find more information below on the Mansion House Compact and Investment Compact: Mansion House Compact - https://lnkd.in/euDd4BcT Investment Compact for Venture Capital and Growth Equity - https://lnkd.in/ej6j3D3K

Very exciting news for Wales. We have the opportunity to build a brilliant future (the foundations are here!). There is a lot of low hanging fruit that with the will, can turn into prosperity. https://lnkd.in/enifREZ6 #capitalraising #startups #fundraising #founders #venturecapital #investors #vc #vcfunding #technology #startup #tech

It looks like the 🇪🇺 is getting it’s first-ever Start-Up #Commissioner - big news indeed. Question for my network 👇 If you could suggest one priority for the new Start-up Commissioner, what would it be? #EuropeanCommission #Innovation #Startups #Europe #InnovationEcosystem

Unleashing Britain's Tech Potential: Insights from the Financial Times 🇬🇧📈 Very interested to read fund manager David Crook's piece in the Financial Times looking at the UK’s tech sector, which features a detailed overview of the successes and failures of UK tech startups as a whole, with suggested policy changes that would help unleash untapped growth. According to this analysis, while the UK boasts a strong track record in fostering startups, being ranked third in the world behind China and the US, we lag behind when it comes to retaining these companies as they mature and go public. Information technology companies represent only 1% of the FTSE 100, compared to 29% in the S&P 500 (which lists US companies). While much commentary from the world of tech startups can be somewhat insular, this piece makes a point that’s not seen enough in public discourse, namely that these factors bleed out into the wider economy and make us all worse off. The minuscule representation of tech and growth companies in the FTSE 100 and an inhospitable wider environment for startup founders has hindered economic growth and led to lower liquidity. The result is lower returns from investments, less capital available for businesses in general, and our best and brightest taking their companies overseas once they reach a certain size. It’s also great to see such a detailed list of constructive policy suggestions, including reducing stamp duty charges on share purchases, and enabling easier access to US capital markets for British public companies through secondary offerings. Those of us in the business of representing tech startups need to be on top of this kind of analysis. We hope policy makers take a note of these suggestions. Until then, do read and share David’s article, via the link below, and let us know what you think in the comments👇📖: https://lnkd.in/eMZbyQd3 #tech #startups #FTSE100 #FinancialTimes

'Growth is the challenge, investment is the solution' Today's investment summit is a crucial moment for this Government in getting this right. Congratulations to Rt Hon Rachel Reeves Jonathan Reynolds MP Keir Starmer Tulip Siddiq James Murray Spencer Livermore Ian Corfield Gus Wiseman Jonathan Crook and many others who have been working hard for months on this. The #PrivateEquity and #VentureCapital industries are out in force at the event today. Why? 📈 Because our industry drives investment at scale. Our Investment Commission report released last week shows that there is £178bn of 'dry powder' - capital commited for investment but not yet invested - in UK led PE & VC funds. Growing businesses in the UK can get the lions share of that over the next three to five years if we get things right. 📊 Because productivity and long term growth is at the heard of what our industry delivers. The Investment Commission work produced in partnership with Tom Hamilton and Rachel Wolf shows what can be done by our members in delivering value creation and productivty in the firms they invest in. Through a clear business plan, tech adoption, export support and leadership skills. The evidence from the The Productivity Institute and others is clear that private capital investment drives productivity. 🔭 🔬 👩🔬 👨🔬 Because investment by PE & VC backs innovation, tech, science and growth. One in three of the fastest growing businesses in the UK according to the Sunday Times are backed by Venture Capital and Private Equity - and every single one of the top 20 UK start ups according to LinkedIn News UK is too. You can read about this in our investment commision with Pubic First https://lnkd.in/e9a9adA6 John Van Reenen Rhodri Thomas Fionnuala McGoldrick Sophia Kewell With thanks for the work done by Juliette Gerstein James Gribben Nicky Bason Catherine Fredette Mia Forti William Crisp Will Todd Suzi Gillespie Hind Jbala Martin Senk on this report

News we care about! Ekaterina Zaharieva has been approved as the EU’s first-ever Start-up Commissioner, with final roles to be confirmed next week. Her mission? To drive investment and support a vibrant #startup #ecosystem across Europe 🇪🇺 a big step towards a more competitive, innovative future. 🔖Read more here: Euronews Article https://lnkd.in/eXtE4cEG #EUInnovation #StartupEurope #InvestmentBoost #InnovationEcosystem #CompetitiveEurope #FutureOfStartups #EkaterinaZaharieva

As a lawyer working with technology companies, and as an entrepreneur myself, I understand the importance of staying competitive in our sector. I highly recommend reading this insightful article, which underscores why boosting investment is crucial for Europe to keep pace with the US. Investment in capital, R&D, and human capital drives productivity and growth. Currently, US companies outspend their European counterparts significantly, risking Europe's competitive edge and prosperity. Addressing barriers such as high energy costs, talent shortages, and regulatory hurdles can help revive Europe’s investment pulse and secure our place in the global market. Read the full article to understand why increasing investment is vital for our sector’s future: https://lnkd.in/dk_mXGGh #innovation #startups #technology

OPPORTUNITY and TIME is NOW to #Scale the Ventures & Grow Scottish #Economy- Requires Substantial #Investment with Sustained Efforts Though! * Investment powers #innovation and fuels #entrepreneurship. #Scotland and the #UK boasts a vibrant #investment landscape- with several #VentureCapital firms and angel networks. However, to truly #ScaleUp our #early-stage #companies (#Spinouts, #Startups and #SpinIns)- we need more substantial, #diverse, #inclusive and sustained #Investment for all innovative #businesses. (Yes, that does include investment into #UnderRepresented and #Women #founders/#entrepreneurs equitably!). * Efforts require an increased #risk appetite for longer-term gains rather than short-termism (for policy, regulation and revenues pathways, in equal measures). * Additionally, viewing ‘failure’ with a learning opportunity attitude and a commercial ‘growth mindset’ with #Purpose to #deliver #outcomes from both management leaders and investors/ funders alike. * Let's seize this #opportunity to shape a prosperous, thriving, fair and inclusive #economy and #impactful future together. * To truly #scale, we need more substantial and sustained #investment. Thus, making a case for better #collaboration between #academia, #policymakers and #industry. Insider.co.uk | Royal Society of Edinburgh | The Scottish Government | Kate Forbes MSP | Scottish Enterprise | Scottish Development International | JP Marks CB | Gregor Irwin | Adrian Gillespie | GlobalScot | Skills Development Scotland | Mark Logan | Microplate Dx Limited | Deepbridge Capital | University of Edinburgh Business School | UEBS Alumni | Universities Scotland | Scottish Funding Council | Amy Lewin | Henry Whorwood | Futurescot | Young Company Finance Scotland | DIGIT.FYI | Maija Palmer | Thierry Heles | UKTN | Innovate UK | AccelerateHER | Scottish Financial Enterprise | Scottish Business Network | FinTech Scotland | Invest2Scale | The Scottish Government in the USA | The Scottish National Investment Bank | British Business Bank | British Business Bank Scotland | British Business Investments #Research and #Innovation|#DiverseEntrepreneurs| #SMEs| #IntellectualPropertyFramework| #NewDealforBusinessGroup, #NDBG| #Private-#Industry-#PublicSector-#Academia/#Universities

" European VC has experienced positive development lately, but the growth is still stunted, and much of the framework in place must be revisited if EU is to ensure a bright economic future for its citizens." The Reality: While Europe is indeed on an upwards trend, neglecting recent slowdowns, the overall picture is still looking grim. The continent has serious structural and policy issues which divided governments are not managing to overcome. In his latest report for the EU Commission, Mario Draghi, former prime minister of Italy and ex-president of the ECB, outlines a €800bn funding gap in the union, part of it being in venture capital, though not limited to it. A fundamental issue in the EU are the various regulatory frameworks, such as the AI Act, which materialises in 90% of AI funding being in the US – as well as twice as many of the industry’s startups. Additional frameworks, such as GDPR add to this gap, however it is not specific rules but rather the sheer number and variety of rules and regulations that pose issues for founders. The often-complicated legal frameworks lead to cross-border issues when combining all 27 member states to one ecosystem, making founding and funding unattractive. The fragmentations in tax laws, capital raisings, and other regulatory areas lead to funds only investing in their home country due to the high transaction costs elsewhere. Furthermore, not only the business environment is difficult, but also the investing frameworks. The European finance sector is heavily based on bank deposits instead of private investments into funds, which leads to a heavier reliance on bank financing overall. In return, the increasing minimum capital and collateral frameworks by the EU hinder these banks from investing their cash at hand. Generally, banks do not like the long-time horizon, needed sector expertise or risk profile of VC investing, which makes it an unattractive investment.' Source: https://lnkd.in/eUYDhVmU #Europe #venturecapitalecosystems #venturecapital #venturefunding #investments #VCinvesting #startups #startupecosystems #innovastion #innovationecosystems #fragmentation #regulations #trends