Ana Barjasic, a co-founding board member of GEN Portugal and a member of the GEN Europe Executive Committee, is one of 20 leading innovators to join the first European Innovation Council (EIC) Board. The board, announced on Nov. 18, has a powerful role to guide the implementation of the EIC as Europe’s flagship innovation programme with a budget of EUR 10 billion, supporting game-changing innovations throughout the lifecycle from early-stage research to the financing and scale-up of start-ups and SMEs. In particular, the board will advise on the EIC strategy, work programme and thematic portfolios in order to maximize the impact of the EIC and may also advise on broader innovation policy matters.
Barjasic was chosen from among more than 430 applicants. She joins leading researchers, entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, ecosystem builders and innovation experts; including thematic experts in key areas for Europe’s future innovations, including digital, health and the green transition.