The entrepreneurial and innovation capabilities of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have become of strategic importance at a European level. It is necessary, more than ever before, to empower their entrepreneurial capacity and improve their ability to drive innovation and entrepreneurial initiatives in alignment with the EU’s strategic priorities. B-KINETIC is an ambitious project that aims at enhancing innovation capacity and fostering inclusive entrepreneurial education within HEIs, with a focus on driving the green transition through digital technologies. Rooted in the Knowledge Triangle of Education, Research, and Business, the project fosters partnerships among universities, industry, regional actors, and policymakers to create sustainable and impactful entrepreneurial ecosystems. The project equips students, faculty, and staff with essential entrepreneurial and specialized skills through workshops, challenges, hackathons, mentorship, and exchange programs. It prioritizes inclusivity, providing targeted support for underrepresented groups such as women, individuals with disabilities, and those facing geographic or socio-economic barriers. Using the HEInnovate self-assessment framework, B-KINETIC identifies institutional gaps and implements interventions to enhance industry collaboration, research commercialization, and intellectual property (IP) management strategies. These efforts aim to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, regional development, and sustainable practices within HEIs. B-KINETIC’s outcomes include engaging over 600 students and 150 faculty members, forming strategic industry partnerships, and achieving a 40% increase in startup creation. These initiatives align with the strategic objectives of the EIT HEI Initiative and contribute to the EU’s Green Deal and digital transformation goals. The partnership consists of 9 partners from 7 EU countries with valuable expertise and complementary skills that secure the success and the high quality of the results of the project. All results will be freely available, ensuring scalability and replicability across Europe. The project is structured into six work packages (WPs). WP1 focuses on project management, while WP2 strengthens institutional integration. WP3 develops entrepreneurial education programs, and WP4 enhances IP management and scaling strategies. WP5 promotes inclusivity and outreach, and WP6 ensures communication, impact assessment, and sustainability. B-KINETIC will modernize and enhance entrepreneurship education & innovation in HEIs and will bring significant added value to EU level. The project emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, regional development, and sustainable practices, empowering HEIs as hubs of innovation and entrepreneurship. Ultimately, B-KINETIC will contribute to advancing the EU’s green and digital transitions, setting new benchmarks for entrepreneurial education and innovation while creating lasting and sustainable impact.

Project coordinator

Jacek Nowak, University of Silesia in Katowice (contact)