Lab to Unicorn: From Research to Business Success in Europe

16 October 2025

Discover the Lab to Unicorn initiative and learn how Europe is turning science into unicorn companies.

Europe has enormous potential to transform its scientific discoveries into global companies. The Lab to Unicorn model represents this journey — from research laboratories to innovative enterprises achieving unicorn status.

In this article, we explore how the European Union is driving that process, which elements make it viable, and which examples can serve as inspiration.

What Is “Lab to Unicorn”?

Lab to Unicorn refers to the complete process of turning a scientific or technological innovation developed in an academic or research environment into a company valued at one billion dollars or more.

It begins with basic or applied research carried out in universities, research centres, or technological institutes.

The process moves forward through prototype development, testing, technological validation, and initial real-world applications.

Then, a startup or spin-off is created to manage the product or service, attract clients, and position itself in the market.

As it scales, the company draws private investment (seed capital, Series A, B, and growth rounds) until it reaches unicorn valuation.

To make this journey possible, public policies, financing frameworks, intellectual property protection, and institutional support must work together. In Europe, the Commission has already recognised the importance of enabling this transition from lab to market.

The European Strategy: “Choose Europe to Start and Scale”

In May 2025, the European Commission launched the EU Strategy for Startups and Scaleups — “Choose Europe to Start and Scale.”

This initiative is designed precisely to make it easier for technology-based companies to move from laboratory to market, supporting the Lab to Unicorn model.

Main Objectives of the Strategy

Removing regulatory and administrative barriers
Simplifying divergent rules among Member States and harmonising contracts for access to research infrastructures.

Improving access to finance
Creating a more integrated pan-European venture capital market and encouraging institutional investors to back innovative startups.

Boosting market scale and international reach
Ensuring that companies not only start in Europe but also grow in Europe and compete globally.

Attracting and retaining highly skilled talent
Through initiatives such as Blue Carpet, tax incentives for stock options, and easier cross-border worker mobility.

Access to infrastructures, networks, and research services
Introducing a “Charter for Access” to establish uniform contractual conditions for using technological and research infrastructures.

Monitoring progress with clear indicators
To track the development of Europe’s startup ecosystem, the Commission will adopt key metrics and publish progress reports by 2027.

This strategy complements earlier initiatives within framework programmes like Horizon Europe, which fund advanced research and technology.

Deepening the Lab to Unicorn Approach

For the European strategy to truly accelerate the Lab → Unicorn transition, several key components must be strengthened.

Early Identification of Market-Oriented Ideas

Scientific excellence alone is not enough; ideas must address genuine market needs. This commercial perspective should be built into research from the start.

Multidisciplinary Team Formation

Turning innovation into a successful business requires adding business, marketing, legal, and scaling expertise to scientific teams — a vital human bridge between lab and market.

Tailored Funding Stages

Pre-seed / Spin-off grants – public support for initial prototypes.
Seed and Series A/B rounds – private investment to operationalise and scale.
Growth rounds / expansion capital – to support international consolidation.

The EU strategy seeks to expand the pool of venture capital available across these stages.

Real Validation and Pilot Clients

Testing prototypes with real clients helps refine the product, generate traction, and strengthen credibility with investors.

Intellectual Property Protection and Open Innovation

Patents, utility models, and exploitation rights should be secured early on. At the same time, open or collaborative innovation models can speed up adoption.

International Scaling with a European Vision

Companies should avoid depending on a single national market. From early stages, expansion across Europe and beyond should be part of the business strategy, leveraging the Single Market.

Efficient Use of Shared Infrastructures

The EU’s proposed Charter for Access will allow startups to use technological infrastructures, data networks, and research services under uniform conditions.

Coaching, Mentorship, and Pan-European Networks

Specialised deep-tech accelerators, international mentoring networks, and supporting laboratories can help bridge the gap between research and large-scale business.

Notable European Unicorn Companies

Below is a list of ten outstanding European unicorn companies, known for their innovation and inspiring potential:

Revolut – A UK-based fintech superapp offering digital banking, payments, and investment services to millions of users worldwide. 🔗 www.revolut.com
Klarna – A Swedish buy-now-pay-later platform that enables flexible online payments and seamless shopping experiences for consumers. 🔗 www.klarna.com
Celonis – A German process mining and business optimisation company helping organisations improve efficiency through real-time data insights. 🔗 www.celonis.com
Checkout.com – A UK payment processing platform offering global payment solutions for e-commerce and digital businesses. 🔗 www.checkout.com
N26 – A German digital bank providing a fully mobile banking experience with transparent fees and user-friendly financial management. 🔗 www.n26.com
Personio – A Munich-based HR software company that streamlines human resources management for small and medium-sized enterprises. 🔗 www.personio.com
SumUp – A London-based fintech providing mobile card readers and financial tools that empower small businesses to accept payments anywhere. 🔗 www.sumup.com
Bolt – An Estonian mobility platform offering ride-hailing, scooter rentals, and food delivery services in more than 45 countries. 🔗 www.bolt.eu
Blockchain.com – A UK-based cryptocurrency exchange and wallet provider enabling users to buy, sell, and store digital assets securely. 🔗 www.blockchain.com
Doctolib – A French healthtech company providing online medical appointment booking and telemedicine services for patients and healthcare professionals. 🔗 www.doctolib.com

These companies demonstrate how the combination of technological innovation, scalable business models, and global vision can lead to exceptional success across Europe.

Strengthening the Lab to Unicorn Model in Europe

To make this strategy truly effective, complementary policies and actions are needed:

Create bridge funds to mitigate risk between prototype and commercial investment phases.
Promote public–private collaborations linking research centres with emerging companies.
Build pan-European acceleration ecosystems specialising in deep tech.
Encourage mobility of scientific talent towards the private sector and vice versa.
Optimise intellectual property protection mechanisms across all Member States.
Strengthen the shared infrastructure offer and ensure efficient use through the Access Charter.
Secure sustainable funding via European venture capital, institutional co-investment, and guarantee mechanisms.

Lab to Unicorn: conclusions

The Lab to Unicorn concept captures Europe’s great challenge: turning scientific excellence into global business success. The Choose Europe to Start and Scale strategy points firmly in this direction — aligning regulation, finance, talent, and infrastructure policies to make that leap possible.

If applied consistently, Europe can move from being a generator of knowledge to becoming a genuine powerhouse of unicorn companies.