Innovation financing scale-up: What the EU can learn from China

Europe is seeking ways to finance scaling up innovation. Start-up creation in the EU is comparable to that in the US, yet a lack of financing then often hampers growth. 

Analysts therefore suggest looking at the US’ market-based financing of venture capital, but this is far from the only option: China finances innovation at a large scale through government venture funds, blending public and private financing. They also have a strong regional focus.

The EU Investment Capacity Group, an initiative by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung and the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS), will discuss an upcoming policy brief on this topic on 9 April.

Professor Cornel Ban, leading expert on Chinese industrial policy and financing, provides insights into the Chinese innovation financing model to help develop and strengthen EU industrial and innovation policy. The presentation will be followed by a discussion with experts and participants.

Time: 9 April 2026, 12:15 - 14:00 CEST

Venue:  FEPS HQ, Avenue des Arts 46, 1000 Brussels

Please note that spots on-site are limited. Register here to attend in person. You can also follow the discussion online via this link.

For more information about this seminar, please contact our Policy Officer for Economic & Digital Policy, Social Europe Jonathan Schnock, at Jonathan.Schnock(at)fes.de.