Eliza Kruczkowska, director of innovation development at the Polish Development Fund, called for stronger European collaboration and faster regulatory adaptation to support startups growing into global scale-ups. Speaking at the 2026 European Innovation Council Summit in Brussels, she emphasized that despite progress, Europe remains fragmented and struggles to operate as a unified innovation space.

Kruczkowska highlighted the importance of fostering a "Team Europe" approach that goes beyond national interests to enhance cross-border coordination. She pointed to Poland’s rapid innovation growth driven by the Polish Development Fund, which expanded venture capital availability and supported early-stage companies. She stressed that regulatory systems must be flexible and grounded in ongoing dialogue with entrepreneurs.

Drawing on examples from smaller ecosystems like Estonia, Kruczkowska underscored the advantage of focusing on early internationalisation and regulatory simplicity. She argued that Europe’s strength lies not only in technological potential but also in balancing economic growth with societal values, urging policymakers to listen, adjust, and help startups thrive on the global stage.