Periodic Reporting for period 1 - GAEA (Green Alternatives for European Autonomy Challenge)
Berichtszeitraum: 2023-06-01 bis 2024-11-30
Contemporary entrepreneurial ecosystems in the RIS (EIT Regional Innovation Scheme) countries largely remain underdeveloped with moderate innovation capacity, a fact often evidenced by the “brain drain” of local talents. The numbers of entrepreneurial student teams, and consequently the innovation development level in RIS Countries are still relatively low. The operation of 7 Incubators of EIT RawMaterials since 2019 in RIS Countries has validated this insufficiency and the lack of uniformity of the national entrepreneurial ecosystems indicating the need for enrichment and support for organic growth.
The proposed project, Green Alternatives for European Autonomy (GAEA) Challenge, outlines the implementation of a coherent program for youth employability to reinforce regional entrepreneurial ecosystems by engaging students and local talents in regional and interregional idea competitions. Building on the successful experience of the Greentech Challenge in Greece, GAEA will go beyond the current state-of-the-art a) by widening the conceptual scope of challenges to address to include the dimension of the European autonomy reinforcement within an international context influenced by the war in Ukraine and b) by interconnecting regional ecosystems in a cross-cultural initiative designed to last beyond the 28 months period of the project. GAEA's ambition is to enhance entrepreneurial skills of youth in moderate innovation ecosystems by bringing together educational institutions & private companies in a mutually beneficial way, ultimately boosting entrepreneurial ecosystems growth in EU countries that mostly need it. The project will unfold in two stages, regional & interregional, mobilizing and connecting regional entrepreneurial ecosystems around student ideas and projects that will reach to the market in eight countries (EL, LT, SK, LV, HU, CZ, SE, RS and PL), improving innovation flows among the regions and consolidating this knowledge through accelerated projects.
The proposed project, Green Alternatives for European Autonomy (GAEA) Challenge, outlines the implementation of a coherent program for youth employability to reinforce regional entrepreneurial ecosystems by engaging students and local talents in regional and interregional idea competitions. Building on the successful experience of the Greentech Challenge in Greece, GAEA will go beyond the current state-of-the-art a) by widening the conceptual scope of challenges to address to include the dimension of the European autonomy reinforcement within an international context influenced by the war in Ukraine and b) by interconnecting regional ecosystems in a cross-cultural initiative designed to last beyond the 28 months period of the project. GAEA's ambition is to enhance entrepreneurial skills of youth in moderate innovation ecosystems by bringing together educational institutions & private companies in a mutually beneficial way, ultimately boosting entrepreneurial ecosystems growth in EU countries that mostly need it. The project will unfold in two stages, regional & interregional, mobilizing and connecting regional entrepreneurial ecosystems around student ideas and projects that will reach to the market in eight countries (EL, LT, SK, LV, HU, CZ, SE, RS and PL), improving innovation flows among the regions and consolidating this knowledge through accelerated projects.
GAEA has successfully achieved significant technical and scientific milestones, demonstrating substantial progress. All activities have been carried out in strict accordance with the established plan, ensuring timely execution and full alignment with the defined objectives for this phase. In particular, the project facilitated the engagement of 24 industry experts from 8 firms to contribute to the challenge definition process in order to align with the evolving needs of the industry, ensuring their scientific and technical relevance to both academia and businesses. The challenge framework was developed around European Energy Autonomy, Green Transition, Sustainable Business Growth, and Digital Transformation. To strengthen industry-academia collaboration, 490 students and 16 academic staff participated in structured industry visits to 8 firms between July 12 and December 19. These visits provided direct exposure to industry practices, technological applications, and real-world business environments, fostering a deeper understanding of practical challenges and solutions. Additionally, 9 competitions were successfully organized during the reporting period, attracting 485 participants who submitted 165 innovative ideas across various scientific and technological disciplines. To support participants in refining and developing their ideas, 42 expert mentors—including industry professionals, entrepreneurs, and business leaders—provided structured guidance to 96 teams in Phases 1 and 2. Also, 80 experiential seminars on business strategy and product design were conducted, ensuring a balanced integration of scientific knowledge with practical applications. These seminars—10 in each of the 8 participating countries—engaged 142 students, equipping them with essential methodologies and tools for translating innovative ideas into market-ready solutions. A major technical achievement of this period was the successful development of 40 MVPs by student teams, marking a critical milestone in the transformation of conceptual ideas into functional prototypes with real-world applicability. These MVPs represent tangible outputs of the project’s structured innovation pipeline, demonstrating the technical feasibility and potential scalability of the proposed solutions.
GAEA has achieved significant technical, scientific, and social outcomes that have the potential for lasting impacts across academia, industry, and entrepreneurship, focusing on green transition, sustainability, and regional innovation. The project fostered cross-cultural collaboration and engaged students and early-stage innovators, allowing underrepresented groups to contribute valuable perspectives to environmental challenges. Firm visits played a key role in bridging the gap between academia and industry, providing students and academics with practical insights and in-demand skills for innovation and sustainability sectors. The IMS platform supported startups in developing MVPs, essential for attracting investors and entering the market. Continuous mentorship and specialized seminars on business strategy and product development strengthened innovators' ability to tackle entrepreneurial challenges. Knowledge transfer occurred through firm visits, mentorship, and seminars, and the IMS platform refined innovation management methodologies, providing a framework for future projects. Inclusivity was a central focus, achieving a 35% female participation rate, demonstrating the project's commitment to fostering diverse and equitable opportunities. Further research is necessary to refine and validate the innovation management methodologies developed during the project, particularly in the areas of business strategies and sustainable practices. Also, facilitating access to markets and securing financing is critical for the continued growth of the innovations developed by the project. Ensuring that innovators have the necessary tools to navigate commercial pathways and secure investment will be vital in enabling the transition from early-stage concepts to fully realized market-ready solutions. Expanding international collaboration will be crucial for the project's long-term success, enabling innovators to scale their solutions globally.