4InnoPipe2

Building on the work of 4InnoPipe, a project funded under Cohort 2 of HEI Initiative, and the knowledge and expertise that old partners gained from the project, 4InnoPipe2 leverages the insights and outcomes of its predecessor to expand and enhance innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems at HEIs. 4InnoPipe2 broadens the scope by integrating regenerative and sustainable innovation practices across all stages of the innovation pipeline, emphasising a holistic approach towards innovation and entrepreneurship and promoting systemic transformation, fostering collaborative networks and equipping participants with tools to address pressing challenges. 4InnoPipe2 builds upon its predecessor by reimagining the innovation pipelines as interconnected, networked activities instead of linear pipelines. 4InnoPipe2 is a strong pan-European network of universities, which are either research-intensive or business-oriented, with a strong presence from RIS and Widening countries, thereby contributing to bridging the innovation gap in Europe. 4InnoPipe2 will have a strong focus on network building via the COIN methodology to facilitate impact, including with associated partners and alignment with S3 strategies. This approach ensures a shared and efficient framework for collaborations, their expansion and contribution to breaking down silos in universities and increasing interdisciplinarity. The project will also target students, academics and non-academics and offer a 4InnoPipe2 course, masterclasses and workshops to guide participants through different stages of entrepreneurship and to provide them with tools to innovate and set up businesses. The aim is to bridge the divide from research to innovation and business. The project also has a strong focus on startups, with 4InnoPipe2 developing a joint incubation programme and new incubation methodologies to ensure that university research will have a positive economic and societal impact. The project aims to redefine the role of universities as drivers of regenerative business, empowering students, researchers and entrepreneurs to drive positive change. The project serves to connect ecosystems and environmental, social and economic systems together. Planned scaling-up and transferability strategies contribute to the exchange of know-how and skills between participants, within organisations and their respective ecosystems, helping to ensure that the foundations laid by the project will deliver impact in 2030 and beyond. We will also pay specific attention to inclusivity and sharing knowledge with the wider public and with other universities in Europe.