SPREAD2INNO Final Event Celebrates Innovation and Collaboration at SpaceTech Expo 2024

Bremen, Germany – November 19, 2024 – The SPREAD2INNO Final Event, held at SpaceTech Expo 2024 in Bremen, marked the successful culmination of an EU-funded initiative dedicated to empowering SMEs across Europe. From 10:00 to 11:30 AM, innovators, investors, and entrepreneurs gathered to celebrate the project’s achievements and discuss the future of European deeptech innovation.

SPREAD2INNO, an EU-funded initiative, aimed to address the geographical innovation gap across the EU by strengthening the innovation ecosystems of less-developed regions. The project focused on providing valuable resources, tools, and support to startups in Italy, Greece, and Bulgaria. By offering tailored services through an acceleration programme, SPREAD2INNO enabled startups in these regions to boost their competitiveness on an international market. Throughout its programme, the project supported 120 companies, 24 of which participated in the Innovation Academies, and provided six finalists with custom workshop sessions through its intensive training programme.

Led by Fondazione E. Amaldi and supported by Bremen Bremerhaven – City of Aerospace, the project’s final event showcased the impactful journey of SPREAD2INNO in addressing the innovation gap across regions like Italy, Greece, and Bulgaria.

Event Highlights

Showcasing Results and Success Stories

The project’s final event was structured around two key sessions, beginning with a formal welcome and an in-depth presentation of the project’s results by Lorenzo Scatena, Secretary General of Fondazione E. Amaldi, and Holger Oelze of Aviaspace Bremen. They underscored SPREAD2INNO’s pivotal role in strengthening European innovation ecosystems. “This initiative has built a foundation for startups in less-developed regions to thrive and compete on a global scale,” said Scatena.

Eleonora Lombardi, SPREAD2INNO Coordinator, presented the project’s key achievements. She highlighted how the tailored programs, including Innovation Academies and Intensive Training Workshops, transformed SMEs into competitive players ready to attract investment. Lombardi shared the success story of a Bulgarian startup that, through SPREAD2INNO, secured partnerships with international investors. “It’s about giving startups the resources and networks they need to leap forward,” Lombardi emphasized.

Empowering the Future: Insights from Industry Leaders

A dynamic panel discussion, titled “The Importance of Supporting Young Innovators”, brought together prominent investors, including:

●        Ted Elvaghe, Chairman of the Space Committee, EBAN

●        Christian Ziach, Principal at High-Tech Gründerfonds

●        Thorsten Rudolph, Managing Director at AZO Anwendungszentrum Oberpfaffenhofen

●        Rainer Horn, Managing Director at Novaspace

Moderated by Matthew Edwards from ESA, the panel explored the evolving investment landscape for deeptech startups. Discussions covered challenges in upstream vs. downstream funding, strategies for navigating funding rounds, and the critical role of public-private collaborations. “Deeptech is the frontier of innovation,” said Ziach during the panel. “Investors play a vital role not only in financing but also in mentoring and building ecosystems that enable startups to succeed.”

A key takeaway was the emphasis on public-private partnerships as a means to amplify the impact of space technology innovation. Entrepreneurs also engaged directly with panellists, exploring potential funding opportunities and receiving valuable advice on milestone planning.

Looking Forward: The Legacy of SPREAD2INNO

The event concluded with closing remarks from Lorenzo Scatena, who reflected on the lasting impact of the initiative. “SPREAD2INNO is not just a project; it is a model for fostering innovation in Europe. By bridging gaps and building networks, we are setting the stage for a more competitive and innovative Europe,” Scatena stated.

As the event wrapped up, participants left with renewed inspiration and a deeper understanding of how to leverage innovation ecosystems for growth. The connections made during the final event are expected to catalyse future collaborations and investments in the deeptech sector.

SPREAD2INNO’s final event not only highlighted the success of the project’s initiatives but also provided a platform for continued dialogue on strengthening innovation ecosystems across Europe. With the knowledge-sharing efforts, tailored business support, and networking opportunities, the project has left a lasting impact on the participating startups, setting the stage for continued innovation and growth.

Links

www.spread2inno.eu/final-event

Keywords

Startups, SMEs, EU, innovation, deeptech, final event, acceleration