The overarching objective of OPEN-INNO-Train is to form an international and inter-sectoral network of organisations collaboratively working on the joint research field of Open Innovation, University-Industry Cooperation and Research Translation. To facilitate Knowledge Development and Sharing in four contemporary areas - FinTech, Industry 4.0, CleanTech, FoodTech. For globally interconnected societies, scientific research has the potential to foster yet unrealised economic growth, competitiveness, and wellbeing. The conversion of research outputs into tangible outcomes, and, ultimately, sustainable impact is critically important and needs optimising. The process of converting research findings into economic and social benefits appears increasingly complex at a time when researchers often work in multidisciplinary teams, in a context of Open Innovation when cooperating with industry and other stakeholders. Illuminating it from the perspective of Research Translation, an approach increasingly gaining traction in the specific setting of University-Industry Collaboration, OPEN-INNO-TRAIN aims at opening the black box of knowledge conversion processes to generate and apply new insights from those four industry areas. Furthermore, OPEN-INNO-TRAIN encapsulates the development of robust Research Translation tools capable of facilitating the translation process of multidisciplinary research findings for the generation of impact. Combining scientific excellence from European and international universities, Research and Technology Organisations with hands on expertise from pioneering companies, OPEN-INNO-TRAIN will spearhead this sustainable venture using digital innovation hubs, co-tutelle, industrial PhDs, PPPs and training measures to encourage international cooperation among researchers and industry practitioners across disciplines whose final aim is to holistically foster, enhance and sustain over time the application of good research translation practices.

HARD2SCALE aims to initiate a cross-fertilization process as the foundation of a cross border accelerator leveraging the disruptive potential of digital and deep-tech solutions from promising startups to enable green transformation pathways for Energy Intensive and Hard to Abate Industries (EEIs and HtA). HARD2SCALE is a joint effort of 8 expert organizations (4 from emerging/moderate ecosystems and 4 counterparts from leading/strong innovator ones) offering a complete set of services as a gateway to funding and markets. The HARD2SCALE cross border accelerator integrates the specific needs and challenges of emerging EU ecosystems by engaging local quadruple helix stakeholders in a consultation and co-design process leading to long-term, mutually beneficial collaborations. Building on the expertise, assets and networks of the consortium partners (including the EIC Community & BAS and Startup Europe), the HARD2SCALE support services aim to holistically enable startups align their technology development and IPR roadmap with the market deployment and funding needs. By drawing inspiration from the growth journeys of “hyperscalers” (startups with significant fundraising or commercial achievements in a short time period) from the consortium partners’ portfolios, the HARD2SCALE accelerator aims to enhance the investor and market readiness of 40 digital and deep-tech startups targeting 4 EEIs and HtA sectors before introducing them to relevant contacts. HARD2SCALE offers the 40 startups the possibility to join 2 leading ecosystems – Finland and France – where they will be introduced to relevant corporate business partners and investors. HARD2SCALE initiates an open innovation process where the connection between emerging and leading ecosystems will bring forward collaboration opportunities unleashing access to public and private funding and procurement opportunities, enabling digital and deep-tech startups to increase their footprint on the Single Market.

The SMAR3TS project arises as a response to climate change and environmental degradation. It orchestrates an ambitious international, interdisciplinary, and intersectoral staff exchange program for research and innovation, aimed at accelerating sociotechnical transitions for inclusive and sustainable growth. It actively tackles grand societal challenges that endanger global stability and prosperity, and adversely impact fundamental human needs such as food, mobility, energy, and housing. Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, sea-level rise, loss of biodiversity, and disruptions to ecosystems all have far-reaching consequences that transcend borders and require collaboration to develop timely and innovative solutions. SMAR3TS builds a Powerhouse Consortium with amplified network effect by uniting cross-disciplinary expertise of researchers and practitioners from 23 beneficiary partners, and 13 Associate/Third Country Partners working on research excellence through secondments, conferences, workshops, summer schools, knowledge-sharing platforms and activities to transform research outputs into tangible outcomes. United in diversity, SMAR3TS network spearheads innovations across various sectors to support resilient, restorative, and regenerative futures. By leveraging Open innovation strategies, SMAR3TS facilitates knowledge exchange, capacity building, and the co-creation of actionable solutions. By enabling a Quadruple-Helix approach (i.e. university-industry-government-civil society collaboration) and offering advanced training opportunities on research translation, futures thinking, foresight and other necessary tools and techniques, it equips researchers with key skills to design pathways for societal impact. Overall, SMAR3TS pursues a proactive strategy to build a fair, inclusive and regenerating world by collectively advancing science, technology, and innovation, triggering behavioural, organization and policy changes.

The IRIS project supports the Lighthouse cities of Utrecht (NL), Göteborg (SE) and Nice Côte d’Azur (FR) and their Follower cities Vaasa (FI), Alexandroupolis (GR), Santa Cruz de Tenerife (ES), and Focsani (RO) to address their urgent need to deliver energy and mobility services in their cities that are cheaper, better accessible, reliable, and that contribute to a better and more sustainable urban quality of life. By demonstrating smart solutions that integrate energy, mobility and ict, rooted in a City Innovation Platform, IRIS quantifies their value, and connects interests of many different stakeholders in innovative business models, allowing for upscale and replication of integrated solutions for sustainable cities across Europe and world-wide. To achieve this, IRIS works along five Transition Tracks based on common challenges, encompassing 16 integrated solutions that cities can mix and match according to their characteristics and district specific needs. Track 1, 2 and 3 enhance energy efficiency and utilize grid flexibility by balancing supply and demand dynamically and by 2nd life battery and V2G storage, to allow increase of renewable energy production and roll-out of e-cars and e-buses. Track 4 supports this by data sharing, a common architecture, use of standards, and governance practices accelerating innovation, standardisation and implementation of affordable smart applications. Track 5 integrates interdisciplinary citizen engagement and co-creation in Tracks 1 to 4, connecting the needs of end-users with those of other stakeholders, in further support of innovative business models. The expected impacts of IRIS are an open innovation ecosystem motivating citizens to act as prosumers; more effective urban planning and governance of integrated solutions; exploitation of validated innovative business models based on multi-stakeholder collaboration; more stable, secure and affordable energy and mobility services for citizens, with improved air quality.