This Website has a limited use of cookies. By using this website, you are agreeing to the terms and conditions listed in our data protection policy. Read more

Kick-off for EU project on entrepreneurship

7 September 2015

Early September researchers involved in the EU project Fires met in Berlin. The project involves nine research institutions in as many countries, IFN is one and London School of Economics is another. The researchers' task is to – based on solid research – propose policies that can make Europe more entrepreneurial. The projects will end in 2018. In Berlin entrepreneurs from several countries participated, including Birgitta Stymne Göransson, Chairman of Medivir AB.

Magnus Henrekson, IFN, presented the subproject "Institutions and entrepreneurial ecosystems in Europe" for an audience of researchers and entrepreneurs.


Fires is an interdisciplinary research project which aims to develop a reform strategy for increased entrepreneurship in Europe and thus create growth. Magnus Henrekson, IFN, is in charge of one of the subprojects.


From left can be seen Jack Harding, founder and CEO E-Silicon in California, Birgitta Stymne Göransson, Chairman of Medivir AB and Ken Krull, the founder and managing director of US-based Quatere Foundry Program.

Birgitta Stymne, Medivir AB, together with a number of entrepreneurs, participated in discussions with researchers from Holland, Belgium, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Sweden and the UK. In a speech she explained that the labor legislation has not kept up with changes in global and local industry dynamics, demography and more. She added that the European service and health sectors are underserved and that “public monopolies and public tenders are an issue …”. She explained like numerous of the attending entrepreneurs that "failure is an underrated experience".


Researchers from Sweden, Holland, Italy and Germany and entrepreneurs discusses how the subproject "Historical evolution of entrepreneurial institution" should be  communicated in the next three years.


The program in Berlin was busy. Much had to be discussed before the researchers went back to their respective universities and research institutes to study and write working papers. The weather in Berlin allowed, however, breaks and networking outdoors.

Read more on projectfires.eu