EIT Digital Sustainable Growth

Project Information

EIT Digital BP

Grant agreement ID: 101113245

DOI

10.3030/101113245

Project closed

EC signature date 23 March 2023

Start date 1 January 2023

End date 31 December 2024

Funded under

• The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT)

Total cost

€ 33 696 216,00

EU contribution

€ 33 696 216,00

Coordinated by

28DIGITAL
Belgium

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - EIT Digital BP (EIT Digital Sustainable Growth)

Reporting period: 2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

EIT Digital embodies a competitive, inclusive, fair, and sustainable digital Europe, mobilizing a pan-European multi-stakeholder open-innovation ecosystem comprising top European corporations, SMEs, startups, universities, and research institutes. Within this dynamic environment, individuals spanning from students to investors converge to address the multifaceted needs of digital entrepreneurship, encompassing technology, talent, skills, business, and capital requirements. The mission of EIT Digital extends to building the next generation of digital ventures and products while nurturing entrepreneurial talent, positioning businesses and entrepreneurs at the forefront of digital innovation through tailored support in technology, talent, and growth. EIT Digital is committed to addressing specific innovation needs, whether by forging strategic partnerships to bring technology to market, facilitating the scale-up of digital ventures, or cultivating and enhancing digital knowledge and skills among talents. With strategic investments in key areas critical for Europe's advancement, EIT Digital accelerates the market uptake and scaling of research-based digital technologies, focusing on societal challenges such as Digital Tech, Digital Cities, Digital Industry, Digital Wellbeing, and Digital Finance. Since its inception in 2010, EIT Digital has undergone a decade of substantial growth, enriching its community, advancing innovation, entrepreneurship, and talent, and amplifying its impact through thought leadership initiatives. Over the years, EIT Digital has empowered over 3,500 students with innovation and entrepreneurial skills, supported more than 780 startups and scaleups in international growth endeavors, created over 250 ventures, and successfully launched more than 540 products and services commercially. Maturing amidst the rapid evolution of the digital landscape and a burgeoning emphasis on entrepreneurship in Europe, EIT Digital's commitment to fostering an entrepreneurial mindset alongside Europe's robust research foundation strengthens the continent's position in an increasingly digital world propelled by data, platforms, and network economies. In cultivating a Strong Digital Europe, EIT Digital upholds European values of inclusivity, fairness, and sustainability, safeguarding our collective future.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The impact of EIT Digital is best understood by considering the three pillars of our organization (ecosystem, entrepreneurial education, innovation and entrepreneurship) and their contribution to the five focus areas. EIT Digital has a growing, open ecosystem of over 300 partners. With the addition of new office locations in several countries, we are present in 27 locations, in 17 European countries. EIT Digital's expansion strategy has put a strong emphasis on RIS countries, with a full and seamless integration of RIS countries into our ecosystem. As a result in 2023-2024, the partnership experienced a significant growth of partner from RIS countries joining our ecosystem with a growing engagement in our innovation and education activities, driving impact, sustainability, and operational excellence. In 2023-2024, EIT Digital kept being very active in cross-KIC collaboration efforts, by continue leading the cross-KIC Shared Services cluster in 2023 and supporting its change of leadership in 2024, and actively engaging in all the 5 cross-KIC strategic themes, in the Higher Education Capacity Building Initiative, in the Deep Tech Talent Initiative. We continued leading the EIT Hub in Silicon Valley and as part of the cross-KIC Strategic Synergies cluster, we further developed the cross-KIC AI activity. EIT Digital amplified its "gender diversity action plan” with the goal of Attracting, Engaging, Developing, and Supporting women in the EIT Digital ecosystem. This proved effective, allowing EIT Digital to achieve a 50% gender distribution at the end of 2024. In line with the EIT Digital Strategic Innovation Agenda, we concentrate our deep tech investments in five focus areas: Digital Tech, Digital Industry, Digital Cities, Digital Wellbeing, and Digital Finance. These strategically chosen areas have strong European relevance and leadership potential.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

EIT Digital has demonstrated significant achievements and impact across multiple dimensions, reinforcing Europe's digital sovereignty and fostering a robust digital economy.
Higher Education: EIT Digital has successfully graduated more than 950 students from its EIT-labeled programs. Notably, over 500 of these graduates hold citizenship in EIT RIS countries. Additionally, around 460 students are currently enrolled in them.
Digital Talent Development: EIT Digital has provided education and training to more than 14,000 participants in non-labeled programs. Among them, nearly 6,800 are from EIT RIS countries. These programs include online courses, hackathons, and specialized training initiatives aimed at cultivating a digitally skilled workforce.
Venture Support: EIT Digital has played a crucial role in business creation, supporting more than 345 start-ups and scale-ups. Out of these, nearly 190 were registered in EIT RIS countries.
Innovation Ecosystem: EIT Digital has facilitated the market launch of 98 innovations. Additionally, 68 innovations have been launched by organizations in EIT RIS countries. This achievement highlights the organization’s role in fostering a dynamic pan-European open-innovation ecosystem comprising leading corporations, SMEs, start-ups, universities, and research institutions.
Strategic Investments: EIT Digital has contributed to attract approximately €144 million in investments for KIC-supported start-ups and scale-ups.