Lab to Unicorn Initiative

The EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy, launched on 28 May 2025 by the European Commission as part of the "Choose Europe to Start and Scale" initiative, aims to position Europe as the world's top destination for launching and growing technology-driven innovative companies, addressing key barriers like regulatory fragmentation, funding gaps, and talent shortages that have driven nearly 30% of European unicorns to relocate outside the EU between 2008 and 2021.

Five Priority Pillars and Key Actions

1. Innovation-Friendly Regulation

• 28th Company Law Regime (Q1 2026): Optional EU-wide corporate framework for startups/scaleups, simplifying incorporation (within 48 hours), insolvency, labor, and tax rules across Member States, running parallel to national laws.​

• Innovation Stress Test: Voluntary tool for Member States to assess if new laws hinder innovation.​

• Sector-specific reforms in biotech, life sciences, advanced materials, and defense to cut red tape (starting 2025).​

• Revision of the Standardisation Regulation (Q2 2026) for easier SME/startup access to EU standards.​

2. Better Finance

• Scaleup Europe Fund (2026 launch): Market-based, privately managed/co-financed fund targeting €50M+ rounds in deep tech, AI, semiconductors, biotech, and cleantech; anchored by EIB Group.​

• European Innovation Investment Pact (2026): Mobilizes pension funds, insurers, and institutional investors into EU VC, fund-of-funds, and unlisted scaleups.​

• Expanded/simplified European Innovation Council (EIC) with challenge-driven, staged funding for high-risk innovations.​

3. Fast Market Uptake and Expansion

• Lab to Unicorn Initiative (call open, deadline 10 March 2026): Networks "Champions League" of startup/scaleup hubs linked to research infrastructures for deep-tech commercialization.​

• Pro-innovation public procurement revisions (2025-2026) to favor startups.​

• European Business Wallet: Digital ID for seamless cross-border admin interactions.​

• Cohesion Policy leverage for regional market access and scaling.​

4. Best Talent

• EU Talent Visa enhancements and "EU Talent Pool" for skilled migrants.​

• Union of Skills integration for upskilling/reskilling in strategic tech sectors.​

5. Infrastructure, Networks, Services

• Charter of Access to research/industrial infrastructures with standardized terms.​

• European Innovation Act with regulatory sandboxes.​

• Improved cross-border ecosystem connectivity via hubs and cluster

The Lab to Unicorn Initiative

The Lab to Unicorn Initiative is a flagship action of the new European Startup and Scaleup Strategy, designed to turn Europe’s strongest research hubs into launchpads for the next generation of deep‑tech unicorns.

​

What the current call funds

• A Horizon Europe call to create a pan‑European network of “European Startup and Scaleup Hubs”, forming a kind of “Champions League” of startup hubs.​

• Indicative budget: €20 million, with EU co‑funding of up to 50% of eligible costs for selected projects.​

• Expected to support 10–18 leading and emerging hubs, which will:

  • Share access to research infrastructures, investors, mentors, talent and corporate partners.​

  • Boost venture‑building capacity (from incubation and acceleration to scale‑up services).​

  • Focus strongly on deep tech (AI, quantum, advanced materials, biotech, climate/clean‑tech, etc.).

    ​

Strategic aims

• Create a genuine “lab to unicorn” pathway, so IP‑rich spinoffs can move seamlessly from university labs into funded startups and global scaleups.​

• Better connect university ecosystems and startup hubs across borders, reducing fragmentation and helping founders easily access support in other EU countries.​

• Provide a European blueprint for IP commercialisation, licensing and equity sharing between academia and inventors, including guidance on State‑aid‑compliant revenue and equity models.

  ​

Who can apply

• Consortia of startup/scaleup hubs, tech transfer offices, universities, research organisations, incubators/accelerators and ecosystem builders from several EU Member States and associated countries.​

• Hubs must show:

  • Strong research links and IP pipeline.​

  • Clear sectoral strengths in deep tech.​

  • A track record or credible plan for supporting early‑stage founders and scaleups.

    ​

Call timing and application

• Deadline for applications: 10 March 2026 (electronic submission via the Horizon Europe / EU Funding & Tenders portal).​

• Single‑stage application with a detailed work plan on:

  • Hub interconnection and joint services.

  • Venture‑building activities and founder support.

  • IP commercialisation practices and cooperation with investors.

    ​

Why it matters for entrepreneurs

• While the grant targets hubs and ecosystems, founders will benefit from:

  • Easier access to top‑tier mentors, labs, investors and corporates across Europe.​

  • More professionalised venture‑building support around university IP, including better licensing terms and equity sharing.​

  • A more predictable “from research to scaleup” pipeline, aligned with other EU instruments (EIC, Innovation Fund, Scaleup Europe Fund, etc.).