CERN Entrepreneurship Featured in Global Innovation Report

The GII 2026 was launched on 29 September and entitled Powering entrepreneurs at the frontier of science. (Image: WIPO)

The Global Innovation Index (GII) looks at innovation across 139 economies using 79 indicators and asks how economies can turn scientific breakthroughs into scalable ventures. CERN contributed to the latest edition of the report, launched on 29 September and entitled Powering entrepreneurs at the frontier of science, with a paper on CERN Venture Connect (CVC), its groundbreaking entrepreneurship initiative.

The GII 2026 explores how to build ecosystems that translate scientific breakthroughs into real-world solutions. The CERN Venture Connect programme, first launched in 2023, is included in the report's "Special theme" chapter. CVC was designed to empower deep-tech startups across CERN's Member and Associate Member States. It grew from a decentralised network of business incubators and offers participants access to state-of-the-art, license-ready technologies and prototypes, standardised agreements and a support network of CERN experts and over 50 global partners.

Thanks to the programme and the support of CERN experts, CERN technologies are finding new applications far beyond fundamental research. CVC currently offers nine CERN technologies in its portfolio and is working with 21 startups. Examples include White Rabbit, a technology being used for precision timing in financial fraud analysis; CERN's fibre optic sensing technology, which is enabling smarter water management; CERN's advanced photonics technology, which is helping deliver more precise wind-energy forecasting; and Accurate2A chip technology, which is contributing to carbon removal and atmospheric processing. Other ventures are using CERN's innovative technologies to pursue opportunities across creative industries, energy and aerospace.

CERN's contribution to the GII offers practical guidance for other research organisations seeking to strengthen their innovation and technology transfer activities. Key lessons include identifying known bottlenecks and addressing them systematically rather than treating each case as unique, curating technologies around market needs, building strong partnerships with the wider innovation ecosystem, and embedding knowledge and technology transfer into the organisation's strategy and staff career paths.

Beyond CERN's ongoing collaboration with the WIPO GII and this year's contribution of a CERN-authored paper, CERN Director-General Mark Thomson participated in the 2026 GII Advisory Committee Retreat. CERN alumna Kitty C. Liao, founder of IDEABATIC, was a panelist in the global launch event.

In the future, the CVC will continue to support external entrepreneurs and strengthen the assistance given to CERN personnel seeking to create startups. It will place greater emphasis on internal opportunities for impact by addressing gaps in skills, incentives and infrastructure, starting with events such as the CERN Entrepreneurship Academy.