Explores the idea that Europe's growth problems may be caused by weaknesses in capital markets and in the access to risk capital. It addresses the evaluation of the financial needs and constraints of start-up firms and how these might be bridged. The role of public sector intervention is analyzed, focusing on international best practices.

FABIO BRAGA Senior Analyst, Economic Research Department, Borsa Italiana
LUCIANA CANOVI Lecturer in Finance, 'Marco Biagi' Faculty of Economics, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy
MASSIMO DEMASIMA Senior Analyst, Industry Analysis and Business Support Department, Borsa Italiana
ALESSANDRO G. GRASSO Post-Doctoral Scholar in Market and Financial Intermediaries, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy
PAOLA SCHWIZER Professor of Banking, University of Parma, Italy

List of Tables List of Figures List of Boxes Acronyms and Abbreviations About the Authors Preface and Acknowledgements Introduction; E. Gualandri and  V . Venturelli    Innovation and economic growth; E . Gualandri and V. Venturelli Access to Finance of Innovative SMEs; V . Venturelli   Equity gap and innovatives smes; E . Gualandri  An original equity requirement estimation model; L . Canovi and  V . Venturelli The intermediaries in the risk capital industry; A . G. Grasso Size and evolution of the risk capital industry; A . G. Grasso The role of equity markets;  F. Braga and  M. Demasi The role of the public sector;  E . Gualandri and  P . Schwizer   Bibliography Index Notes