Geographical Innovation Gap
While European innovation ecosystems are facing increasing global competition, there are big differences between European regions’ innovative capacity. Funding obstacles, lack of investors, and scarcity of acceleration services are especially prevalent in less connected innovation ecosystems in Eastern and Southern Europe. This represents a significant hurdle to unleashing the potential of European entrepreneurship.
What can be done?
In light of the prevalent geographical innovation gap that stems from disparities in connectivity and development across various regions of the European Union, enhancing the quality and outreach of the less privileged innovation ecosystems presents an unparalleled opportunity to tackle this challenge. Such strategic measures will attract the attention of global corporations, who will be keen to explore and leverage the vast potential that these burgeoning innovation hubs have to offer.How is SPREAD2INNO helping?
Through its three phases the SPREAD2INNO project will
- Select and identify the needs of relevant stakeholders through events and a one-stop-shop platform
- Nurture and connect these stakeholders to develop themselves as driving forces for their local innovation ecosystems
- Develop and share best practices to ensure a sustainable outcome of the project.
Phase 1: Local Events & Platform
Through a series of exclusive local events, SPREAD2INNO seeks to bridge the gap between global innovation powerhouses and the emerging, yet less connected innovation ecosystems in regions such as Italy, Bulgaria, and Greece. Our events provide a platform for promising startups to pitch their ideas and gain invaluable exposure to top-tier investors, leading accelerators, and other innovation hubs. In addition, a platform will be launched serving as one-stop-shop for finding relevant connections encompassing all aspects for a successful innovation ecosystem growth.
Phase 2: Academies & Feasibility Study
Phase 3: Training & Scaling
From each of the academies the three finalists will receive an intensive seven-day training. During that unique opportunity they will have the possibility to connect to experts from high-profile networks and enhance their market as well as business scalability. Additionally, participating companies receive a tailor made business and coaching, meticulously designed to improve their investor attractiveness and impact in the market. Experts from both developed and emerging innovation ecosystems will share the best practices identified through our two-year project.
Project Impacts
Enhanced openness, competitiveness, and global potential of developing innovation ecosystems
Enhanced network connectivity within innovation ecosystems in Europe
Balanced business activity across Europe and creation of local jobs with high-value added
Strengthened and expanded cooperation between innovation ecosystems in Europe
Improved quality and outreach of business acceleration services in developing innovation ecosystems
More inclusive and gender equal innovation ecosystems supporting existing and emerging innovators and companies
SPREAD2INNO focuses on closing the geographical innovation gap that exists due to unequal connectedness and development of different regions of the European Union. Via the SPREAD2INNO working program and activities, the less developed innovation ecosystems will have a chance to adopt practices that will make them more attractive to international companies and tapping into the potential of local ecosystems.
Project name: SPREADing the global potential of developing innovation ecosystems to strengthen INNOvation in regional and local businesses
Project acronym: SPREAD2INNO
Project starting date: 15 January 2023
Project end date: 14 January 2025
Project duration: 24 months
Programme: Horizon Europe
Call: HORIZON-EIE-2021-SCALEUP-01 I Elevating the scalability potential of European business (2021)
Topic: HORIZON-EIE-2021-SCALEUP-01-01 I Expanding Acceleration Ecosystems
Type of action: CSA - Coordination and Support Actions
Reference (Proposal ID): 101071977
SPREAD2INNO focuses on closing the geographical innovation gap that exists due to unequal connectedness and development of different regions of the European Union. Via the SPREAD2INNO working program and activities, the less developed innovation ecosystems will have a chance to adopt practices that will make them more attractive to international companies and tapping into the potential of local ecosystems.
Analyse qualitatively and quantitatively the needs of start-ups and SMEs located in different innovation ecosystems with regards to sectoral needs and specific financial and business services
Assess and improve, collaborating with developed and less developed innovation ecosystems, quality, capacity, competitiveness, comprehensiveness and outreach of business acceleration services.
Create an online cross-border single point of reference for all innovation stakeholders with regards to resources, tools and services tailored for scaling up innovative SMEs and start-ups.
Bring together regional high-potential start-ups and local stakeholders to give an impulse to improve the innovation systems in the respective regions, fostering inclusion and diversity.
Evaluate the sustainability of the SPREAD2INNO methodology and solutions
Project name: SPREADing the global potential of developing innovation ecosystems to strengthen INNOvation in regional and local businesses
Project acronym: SPREAD2INNO
Project starting date: 15 January 2023
Project end date: 14 January 2025
Project duration: 24 months
Programme: Horizon Europe
Call: HORIZON-EIE-2021-SCALEUP-01 I Elevating the scalability potential of European business (2021)
Topic: HORIZON-EIE-2021-SCALEUP-01-01 I Expanding Acceleration Ecosystems
Type of action: CSA - Coordination and Support Actions
Reference (Proposal ID): 101071977
Project Objectives
Project Structure
To reach all described aims and objectives of the SPREAD2INNO project within 24 months, 5 different structured work packages and strategically positioned milestones will be followed.
WP1 – PROJECT MANAGEMENT
WP2 – COMMUNICATION AND DISSEMINATION MANAGEMENT
WP3 – PREPARATORY ACTIVITIES, TRAININGS, AND KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE INITATIVES
WP4 – EUROPEAN BUSINESS ACCELERATION ACADEMIES
WP5 – SCALING UP THE INNOVATION ECOSYSTEMS, SUSTAINABILITY AND EXPLOITATION
Publications
Deliverables
*Download links will be activated as soon as the deliverables are available