The power of a network: how one innovation agency is behind thousands of groundbreaking start-ups
There is an exciting network of innovators working to solve Europe’s most pressing problems. Since its inception, it has contributed to the success of 7 800 start-ups and scale-ups, and has seen 6 000 Master’s and PhD students graduate. It has helped to create more than 2 110 new products or services and seen their start-ups raise more than EUR 7.3 billion in external capital. Eight of them have even become unicorns – companies valued at more than USD 1 billion.
I am talking about the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT), Europe’s largest innovation network, and the only one with an on-the-ground presence in every EU Member State.
The success of the EIT lies in our unique model – we support innovators, learners and entrepreneurs at every step of the way. We set up the ecosystem needed for innovation to thrive: from entrepreneurship education (training and skilling) through innovation projects (connecting research and science to commercialisation) to boosting businesses and creating start-ups.
Our strength lies in our robust network of experts from business, education and research. Counting 2 400 partners in more than 50 innovation hubs in Europe and beyond, the EIT enables strategic cross-sectoral innovation to address the challenges our continent faces.
EIT Summit 2024 – About (b2match.io)
Op-ed: EIT Governing Board Chair Nektarios Tavernarakis on the EIT’s success | EIT (europa.eu)