Boston Study Tour’s Post

🌟 Košice Self-Governing Region and Innovation Center of Košice Become a European Innovation Valley! 🌟 We are proud to announce that the Košice Self-Governing Region (KSK) and the Innovation Center of Košice have been selected as one of the Regional Innovation Valleys under the new European Innovation Agenda. This prestigious selection grants us access to extensive European resources, partnerships, and programs that will accelerate the technological and economic development of our region. 💡 What does this mean for our region? Access to European resources: Funding and support for innovative projects. International partnerships: Collaboration with leading European and global innovation ecosystems. Technological and economic development: Support for projects in technology, education, and entrepreneurship. “This recognition is a testament to our region’s long-term efforts in innovation and technological development,” said Ing. Rastislav Trnka, Chairman of the Košice Self-Governing Region. Ing. Peter Breyl, General Director of ICKK, adds, “We are proud to be part of this significant initiative and look forward to collaborating with our European partners.” The Innovation Center of Košice will be part of a project consortium focused on the circular economy, led by the city of Madrid and including prominent partners such as EIT Digital and Innovation Norway. The total budget for the project is 22.8 million EUR. Follow us to stay informed about the next steps and opportunities that this significant achievement will bring to our region. https://lnkd.in/dF_8-qCU. #KošiceRegion #EuropeanInnovation #InnovationValley #RegionalDevelopment #TechnologicalAdvancement #Innovation

“Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.”- Carl Sagan 🌍 With our Innowwide call for market feasibility projects, you can test your R&D project in a market country of your choice in Asia, the Americas, Asia or Oceania 🌍 Who is Innowwide for ❓ 🟦 This opportunity is open to SMEs and startups from the European Union Member States, Iceland, Israel, Norway, Türkiye and the United Kingdom. What funding can I get ❓ 🟦 Your innovative SME can receive a lump sum grant of 60,000 euro When is the deadline ❓ 🟦 15 October at 14:00 CEST Learn more👇 European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) European Commission

Event Recap: Breaking Boundaries – Tackling Regional Challenges Through Transnational Innovation   On October 8, 2024, at the Albert Borschette Conference Centre, we gathered for Breaking Boundaries: Tackling Regional Challenges Through Transnational Innovation. The event brought together thought leaders and innovators from across Europe to explore collaborative approaches to overcoming regional challenges.   We were honored by the presence of Mr. Michiel Scheffer, President of the European Innovation Council (EIC), who expressed his appreciation for the efforts and insights shared by all partners. Mr. Scheffer highlighted the importance of such collaborative initiatives in fostering a stronger, more innovative Europe.   Our panel featured distinguished speakers:   Panagiotis Alex Sevdalis – Policy Officer, European Innovation Council DG for Research & Innovation Michiel Scheffer – President of the EIC Ana Coelho – Director, ACCIO-Catalonia Trade and Investment Kevin Flynn – Head, Irish Liaison Office for Research and Innovation Petra Moreno – Project Manager, Startup Europe Regions Network Chiara Frencia – Secretary General, Startup Europe Regions Network   During the event, we explored the RinnoValleys Project, a transnational initiative connecting regions from Catalonia, Greece, Malta, Hungary, Brussels, and Ireland to enhance access to the European Innovation Council. The discussions emphasized the importance of collaboration, creativity, and networking in tackling regional challenges and driving sustainable innovation.   Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the event’s success.   Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to push the boundaries of regional innovation!   Envolve Entrepreneurship ACCIÓ Hungarian Innovation Agency A8 National Association of Community Enterprise Centers SERN - Startup Europe Regions Network #EuropeanInnovation #RinnoValleys #InnovationCouncil #TransnationalInnovation #StartupEurope #RegionalChallenges #InnovationEcosystem #Collaboration #InnovationFunding #SustainableGrowth #EUStartups #InnovationLeaders

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (#EIT) is expanding its network with 11 new regional innovation hubs, bringing the total to 17 countries by the end of the year. These hubs, part of the Regional Innovation Scheme (#RIS), aim to strengthen #innovation in regions that need it most by providing training, #funding, and support to local entrepreneurs and innovators. With a focus on collaboration and connecting local ecosystems to a wider European #network, this expansion marks a significant step in boosting innovation across #Europe's emerging and moderate innovation regions. 💡More: https://lnkd.in/eRXfd4qj

Are you at the helm of an innovative company❓ Don’t confine your aspirations only to national and local collaborations or grant competitions exclusive to Polish companies ❗ Step into the broader arena by participating in the #HE4Business event series, where we’ll demonstrate the immense value of exploring Horizon Europe. 💡 📑 🎯 💶 Innovation knows no bounds, and Horizon Europe opens doors to collaboration with major players in the European innovation ecosystem. This program provides access to expansive markets and facilitates securing substantial financing through grants and venture capital investments. 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧? 𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗡? 𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘? 𝗛𝗘𝟰𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 – 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟲, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 Join us at the Marriott Hotel in Warsaw for an insightful conference. Delve into the offerings of the European Innovation Council (#EIC) with the participation of representatives from the European Innovation Council (EIC) and the European Investment Bank (#EIB). Explore the possibilities of securing R&D financing within thematic clusters and partnerships. Network with companies experienced in Horizon Europe, and participate in practical workshops focusing on essential skills for promoting your company, including effective business presentation techniques (pitching). You are offered to follow three thematic tracks: EIC info session (for deep tech SMEs, incl. startups) #EIT info session (for companies, SMEs as potential EIT KIC’s partners) Thematic calls and European Partnerships (for big companies and SMEs) More information can be found at https://lnkd.in/dtj2F2b6 #HE #Business #HE4Business

"Nel mezzo del cammin..." While the European public opinion suddenly woke up on topics like deep tech funding and support for disruptive innovation, the European Innovation Council (#EUeic) reached already the middle of its life cycle (2021-2027). Since there is a lot of discussion and (sometimes unjustified) opinions on it, I believe that it is always better to take a look on actual data and facts, before drawing conclusions. What a better moment than a "mid term" reflection? Here just the top 3 quick findings I got while playing around with some numbers: - the EIC crossed its midlife by delivering 5 Billions € to more than 1000 Projects run by disruptive innovators all over EU (from universities to start-ups and scale-ups) - every 14th successful project is lead by or as an Austrian participant onboard - during the last 3.5 years, I could support Austrian disruptive innovators to bring >100 M€ to the Austrian innovation ecosystem. These are just few quick findings, anyone can make her/his/their own mind on that, there is no intent of judgement, either political or public statement here. In my small way, it is just nice when you can look back, see what you did and be able to tell yourself... "not bad" 😎

Yesterday I had the pleasure of speaking on one of the panels organized by Italian Tech Alliance as part of the VivaTech event. Some scattered reflections following these days of meetings with startups and investors: - Ubiquitous topics in the various panels and speeches: AI and ESG; - Substantially absent/not covered topics: impact and fallout on the innovation and capital ecosystem related to existing and threatened international tensions and conflicts; - Perception of the Italian Venture Capital ecosystem by foreign players: all (or almost all) are watching it with interest and plan to invest in it (or intend to do so) in the coming months. At last, the ecosystem is perceived to be mature enough, everyone expects European (if not global) leaders to emerge from Italy in the near future, and they consider entry valuations very competitive in an essentially still uncompetitive venture capital supply environment; - Perception of the Italian Venture Capital ecosystem by foreign startups: on average, they consider it a difficult market to enter mainly because of the bureaucratic complexities and costs associated with doing business (how can you blame them!), nonetheless to be looked at with reference to possible technological incumbents coming from it. In summary, many good ideas and valuable connections. It would be nice and desirable if a similar event were soon to be organised in Italy, with the collaboration of the various entities that today individually promote events related to innovation and technology. Italy does not lack the ability to organise and manage large trade fairs, perhaps the will?

If you think you can do it alone, you are not thinking big enough! 🌏 💡 Innovation is what keeps economies growing and thriving - but in this day and age, impactful innovation can only be achieved through collaboration and diverse ways of thinking. Looking into the future of innovation clusters in China and Vietnam at the Horasis China Meeting 2024 in Vietnam where I was very honoured to participate in a discussion with true experts on the topic: 👉 Peter Portheine, Founder and Advisor on for many innovation and Asia related ventures and heading up the lead expansion team at BABLE Smart Cities, who has already supported many regions & cities in building innovation hubs, shared his insights on best practices and what good looks like. 👉 Alexius Oh, Vice Director at Eastern International University (EIU) and Robin Nguyen, Founder at IBI Global - looking at the topic from the educational and academic perspective - on enabling young (and older) people to learn how to implement innovative ideas and also communicate these most efficiently, 👉 Dr. Hui Wu, Founder and CEO of iCCAMT, International Co-Innovation Center for Advanced Medical Technology who himself is very much engaged in the highly innovative med- and biotech space and finally 👉 Stefan Ewers, Partner at GvW Graf von Westphalen in Ho Chi Minh City, who reflected on innovation from a legal and regulatory angle - pointing out that companies need reliability and financial security in order to invest in innovation. I infused the digital transformation angle and shared my insights into how innovation can be generated from within organizations if managed and fostered in a psychologically safe and inclusive environment. Thanks to All for the great insights and cross-pollination of ideas. We delved into everything from the role of government to the power of sticking together through global ups and downs and how businesses, startups, universities, service companies and governments can help keep the influx of great ideas flowing for the benefit of all. Big thanks to all our panelists and great to make new and rekindle old connections Jan René Fricke, Murthy R Nuni, Harold P. Sjursen, Murat Seitnepesov, Rob Garrett, Jacob "Jake" Fisch, Urs Unkauf, Dr. Karl Pilny, Gerhard Leypoldt🐉, Manik Shaw, Kevin Varend, Yip Thy Diep Ta and Geraldine Oh! Special thanks to Frank-Jürgen Richter for bringing us together! #Innovation #Growth #diversity #inclusion #digitaltransformation