How to become an European Early Innovator
We look for scientists who want to transfer their knowledge into application. And we look for entrepreneurs who are willing to achieve a higher level of competitiveness. The first step for both groups was to attend our EEII Networking Event in Bucharest.
Bucharest, July 4th, 2018: The first networking event with thematic focus on technology oriented businesses and product innovations took place. Project parteners from Germany, Slovakia and Ukraine coordinated the macro-regional approach of the event. Upon submitted expressions of interest, 40 participants were selected and invited.
Presentation session: project proposals / successful stories
Participants were invited to present business ideas or project proposals and to discuss with other participants how the implementation can be achieved in best way.
Examples of discussed projects:
- Remote control system of a Robot Platform Capable of making maneuvers (technology aimed to lower the human involvement on operation theaters);
- Wearable device for maintaining muscular activity and real-time check of location (portable bracelet able to monitor the location of the wearer and the physical activities performed);
- Intelligent system for a safe driving car that warns and prevent the driver from different breakdowns that might occur during driving;
- A versatile robot platform project capable to run several applications completely separately.
Another contribution to be highlighted came from Modularity: Houses, using solar energy as the single energy source. The houses are equipped with latest technologies what allow maximum energy efficiency. Modularity is invited to present this concept to “The Solar Decathlon” – an international competition created by the U.S. Department of Energy in which universities from all over the world meet to design, build and operate grid-connected, solar powered houses.
In the networking breaks, participants took the chance to exchange business cards, to deepen the understanding of the presentations or to forward various project ideas and more detailed presentations to Steinbeis representatives.
Brainstorming sessions took the format of a roundtable in which other examples of best practice were presented and how those can be integrated in further EEII actions:
- how to find partners for your projects;
- how to get support in project promotion and in upgrading your project towards strategic project;
- how to follow call for selection of scientists;
- how to become project partner to implement the new European Early Innovators Program.
Background: Competitiveness of the future must be based on innovation what requires knowledge and creativity. Experiences show that a knowledge based economy needs a strong communication between researchers and entrepreneurs. Young researchers are not enough encouraged or supported to become entrepreneurs. Research does not result in innovation. But exactly the next generation of Europeans can be smarter in doing business: use scientific knowledge to create successful entrepreneurship.
Concept of the EEII events: being extremely target oriented, we give highest priority on interaction. Our networking and pitching event exhibit innovative ideas, prototypes and products to potential financial and industrial partners (linking research and industry). Representatives of academic sector, industry, public administration and media are invited to become key actors of the European Early Innovators Initiative – and in a next step to create a strategic program for all Danube Region.
Events follow in Kosice (SK, 15.10.2018), Uzhgorod (UA, 16.10.2018) and Trieste (IT; beginning of December.)
Venue: Palais Ghica Victoria
- The House of Danube
- The International Center of Excellence in Cultural Diplomacy
- Head office of Steinbeis Network Romania