A Strategic Framework for Innovation Under the European Innovation Act
Europe is entering a new phase of innovation policy. With the upcoming European Innovation Act expected to be proposed in 2026 as part of the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy, the focus is shifting from supporting innovation in theory to enabling innovation in practice. This new approach to EU innovation policy aims to help businesses move faster, collaborate more effectively, and transform innovation needs into market ready solutions.
While access to funding remains important, it is no longer the main challenge. Businesses across Europe are increasingly looking for ways to accelerate innovation, reduce complexity, and work with the right partners. The European Innovation Act acknowledges that innovation thrives through strong innovation ecosystems, open collaboration, and efficient connections between companies, technology providers, and research organizations.
A Market That Rewards Collaboration and Speed
The European Innovation Act seeks to remove long standing barriers that slow innovation across key sectors such as Industry 4.0, health and life sciences, digital innovation, artificial intelligence, energy, and climate technologies. Proposed measures include simplified regulation, improved access to research infrastructures, regulatory sandboxes, and more innovative, friendly public procurement processes.
What is changing for businesses is not only the policy framework but also expectations. Companies are increasingly encouraged to clearly define their innovative challenges, collaborate beyond internal teams, work with emerging companies, researchers, and solution providers, and test solutions in real operational environments.
Innovation is becoming an ongoing and collaborative process rather than a strict internal function. This shift reinforces the importance of open innovation and structured collaboration models that allow ideas to move quickly from concept to implementation.
From Research Excellence to Market Impact
One of the core objectives of the European Innovation Act is to close the gap between research excellence and commercial impact. Public consultations have highlighted persistent challenges such as complex access to research infrastructures, limited participation of small and medium enterprises, fragmented procurement rules, and slow adoption of innovative solutions.
The policy response is clear. Europe wants innovation to reach the market faster. Achieving this goal requires effective collaboration between industry, research institutions, and solution providers, supported by digital innovation ecosystems that enable practical cooperation and faster decision making.
More information about the policy direction can be found on the European Commission website and through official publications on EU innovation policy and the European Innovation Council.
What This Means for Innovative Businesses
For businesses that innovate or aim to adopt innovation, the message is straightforward. Success will depend less on navigating funding instruments and more on identifying the right partners, shortening implementation cycles, and deploying solutions efficiently.
This is where innovation marketplaces play a critical role. By providing structured environments for collaboration, they allow businesses to connect with relevant expertise, validate solutions, and move from strategy to execution with greater confidence.
Turning Innovation Needs into Action Through the JOIST Marketplace
The JOIST Marketplace is designed to support businesses in this evolving innovation landscape. It enables organizations to transform concrete innovation needs into actionable initiatives by connecting challenges with proven solutions.
Through the Marketplace, businesses can publish innovative challenges based on real operational or strategic needs, connect with trusted providers and experts through verified provider profiles, and test and implement innovative solutions in real conditions. This approach helps reduce scouting time, improve collaboration outcomes, and accelerate the adoption of innovation.
By fostering collaboration between industry, research organizations, and solution providers, the JOIST Marketplace supports the objectives of the European Innovation Act and strengthens innovation ecosystems across Europe.
You can explore active challenges, discover provider profiles, or register through the Marketplace registration form to begin your innovation journey.
Innovation Is a Collective Effort
As Europe reshapes its innovation policy, one conclusion stands out. Funding alone is not enough. Organizations that succeed will be those that collaborate effectively, co-create solutions, and adopt innovation with speed and purpose.
JOIST Marketplace supports businesses throughout this process, from identifying challenges to implementing solutions and achieving measurable market impact.
1. Book a demo to see how the JOIST Marketplace works in practice.
2. Post your innovation challenge and connect with the right partners.
3. Join the Marketplace as a provider and offer your solutions to real business needs.
