BIKE-HEI. Boosting Innovative and Knowledge-based Entrepreneurship of HEIs

BIKE-HEI “Boosting Innovative and Knowledge-based Entrepreneurship of HEIs” project aims to improve business opportunities for innovative and knowledge entrepreneurs by using Artificial Intelligence in the area of Environmental Protection, Climate Action and Green Economy, promoting entrepreneurship and spin-off support services in HEIs and strengthening the HEIs’ role in the regional innovation ecosystem. In alignment with EU priorities and Strategic Plans including the Green Deal and the European Digital Decade Policy Programme that are also reflected in the ERA Policy Agenda, the consortium will commit to the digital and sustainable transformation (the Twin Transformation). This would be achieved through two specific objectives: (1) the establishment of a Joint Innovation & Entrepreneurship Hub (BIKE Hub) and mechanisms to support innovation and entrepreneurship that foster the generation of academic spin-offs and start-ups and (2) the development of innovation and entrepreneurial training programmes and mentoring schemes that increase the innovation capacity of partner HEIs in Artificial Intelligence for Environmental Protection, Climate Action and Green Economy. To tackle the above-mentioned objectives, the project will bring together a consortium of 7 full partners and 2 associated partners that successfully represent all the components of the EIT Knowledge Triangle but also the needed dimensions for the Twin Transformation: 4 HEIs with different approaches to the initiative’s project and 1 business partner & 1 CSO & 1 NGOs that will work as facilitators and with their long-lasting expertise and their wide network will importantly contribute, respectively, to the advancement of the digital, environmental, and social dimensions of the Twin Transformation. The project benefits from an alignment with the goals of Climate-KIC, EIT Digital & EIT Raw Materials, and its outcomes will support the strategic aims of these KICs. HEIs are best positioned to drive change and innovation, but the establishment of partnerships with the industry and the development of entrepreneurial capacities is critical to success. To lead society in this field, HEIs must strengthen their entrepreneurship and innovation capacities. Based on HEInnovative self-assessment, the consortium identified seven actions (IVAP) to increase capacity in the subject area. These actions are consistent with the project’s objectives, strengths and needs as well as the strategic objectives of the 3 EIT KICs. BIKE-HEI’s IVAP includes a set of KPIs to track progress in project execution over time, as well as a plan to extend financial support to continue the consortium’s activities after the project expires. Involving outreach, dissemination and engagement activities, the project ultimately aims at positioning HEIs as impact engines, enabling them to lead society in the digital and green transitions and foster sustainable innovation.