SFF-DT
SFF Deep Teach Valleys: STEM2Venture Pathway
SFF-DT strengthens STEM research-to-market capacity by connecting competence-based entrepreneurship education, researcher sprints, TTO/KTO toolkits, an Open STEM-Incubator, and KIC-aligned venture pathways under Topic 1.
Selected under Topic 1: EIT-HEI-2025-STEM-CAPACITY-BUILDING, SFF-DT supports Higher Education Institutions in turning STEM research, AI- and quantum-adjacent assets, and technical talent into stronger entrepreneurial and market-facing outcomes. The project responds to a clear gap in European higher education: students, researchers, professors, and innovation support staff often lack structured pathways to translate technical knowledge and research outputs into validated ventures, licensing routes, partnerships, or societal value.
At the centre of SFF-DT is the STEM2Venture Pathway, built around interconnected “STEM Valleys.” Each valley combines entrepreneurship training, researcher entrepreneurship support, IP and research commercialisation capacity, and venture incubation. This gives participating institutions a shared model for building entrepreneurial competences while still adapting activities to regional Smart Specialisation priorities.
The project will develop EntreComp-aligned STEM entrepreneurship curricula, researcher entrepreneurship sprints, TTO/KTO support tools, and a shared Open STEM-Incubator. Teams emerging from training and research valorisation activities will receive structured coaching, mentoring, IP guidance, market validation, pitch support, and access to investor and ecosystem events. By aligning with 28DIGITAL, EIT Manufacturing, and EIT Urban Mobility, SFF-DT aims to create a transferable model for moving STEM talent and research assets from university settings into deep-tech innovation, industrial application, urban mobility solutions, and market uptake.
Partners on this project
Athens University of Economics and Business (Lead Partner)
Edinburgh Napier University
Heirloom Ventures BV
International Burch University
Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek
Strascheg Center for Entrepreneurship gGmbH
University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague
University of Ljubljana
Unknown University of Applied Sciences
Attica Hub for the Economy of Data and Devices Digital Innovation Hub S.A. (Ahedd)
Grant Thornton Tax and Business Advisory Solutions SA
KUKA SE & Co. KGaA
Nestle Hellas
Start for Future Cooperative
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