Isidro Laso

Cabinet Member at Commissioner Valean in charge of innovation, startups and digitalisation for the transport sector

Isidro Laso Ballesteros is a prominent figure within the European Commission, currently serving as a Cabinet Member for Commissioner Adina Vălean in the Directorate General for Mobility and Transport. His primary responsibilities include overseeing innovation, startups, and digitalization within the transport sector.1 3

Professional Background

Laso's career at the European Commission began in 2001, and he has held various significant roles, including:

Cabinet Expert for Commissioner Mariya Gabriel, focusing on innovation, research, education, culture, and youth.2 4
Head of Startup Europe, where he was instrumental in promoting startup ecosystems across Europe for nearly a decade.1 3
Deputy Head of Innovation Ecosystems at the European Innovation Council.2 5

Before his tenure in public service, Laso founded two innovative SMEs in the tech agrifood sector and worked as a strategy advisor to CEOs of large corporations. He has also held roles in IT and change management within major companies such as Atos Origin.1 2

Academic Involvement

In addition to his governmental duties, Isidro Laso is engaged in academia as a Continuing Fellow at the University of Cambridge's Centre for Science and Policy (CSaP) and as a visiting lecturer at CEPADE (Universidad Politécnica de Madrid). His academic contributions include writing extensively on topics related to innovation and startups.1 2

Vision and Objectives

Laso is passionate about fostering an entrepreneurial environment in Europe, aiming to create a continent filled with innovative startups that can benefit a broader segment of society. He advocates for policies that adapt to the rapid changes characteristic of the tech startup landscape.3 5

Overall, Isidro Laso Ballesteros combines extensive experience in both public service and entrepreneurship, positioning him as a key player in shaping Europe's transport innovation landscape.