Project

U!Innovate - educating and empowering for climate-neutral innovation

1 May 2025 - 30 June 2027

U!Innovate boosts European competitiveness in climate-neutral and smart cities by enhancing entrepreneurial and innovation capacity at ‘U!reka European University’ higher education institutions. Through joint incubators, education, and mentoring, the project empowers students and staff to develop and scale climate-focused solutions.

“We are working to position AUAS as an international hub for innovation through our collaboration within U!Innovate, — in alliance with Venture Centre-HvA. We aim for impact entrepreneurship with a strong local impact and also a gateway for Europe-wide collaboration on climate-neutral solutions for current challenges.” — JuanFra Alvarado Valenzuela, Senior Researcher Entrepreneurship

Background

U!Innovate is part of the EIT HEI Initiative, aiming to accelerate climate-neutral innovation. It brings together HEIs, business networks, and regional stakeholders across Europe to build a European joint hybrid incubator. This incubator will offer education, training, and tailored mentoring to support entrepreneurship and the commercialization of solutions for climate-neutral cities.

Objective

To strengthen European HEIs’ capacity for innovation by supporting 500+ climate-neutrality solutions and mentoring students and staff to develop sustainable startups and collaborations.

Method

U!Innovate uses a participatory, evidence-based methodology involving joint course portfolios, summer schools, Climathons, and train-the-trainer programs. Through digital and physical incubators, it facilitates inter-regional knowledge sharing and entrepreneurship.

Expected results and products

Deliverables include a joint course portfolio, digital infrastructure for incubator access, reports on best practices, summer schools, and Climathons. Over 1200 students and 340 staff will be trained; plus 18 startups will be supported.

Expected societal impact

U!Innovate will contribute to the creation of new businesses, increased innovation capacity in HEIs, and more climate-neutral cities. It supports EU goals for sustainability and smart urban development.

Contribution to education and research

The project integrates entrepreneurial education into HEI curricula, trains staff through peer learning and workshops, and supports research. Students gain access to joint inter-regional courses and mentoring aligned with EIT KIC goals.

“U!Innovate is about turning applied education into action, giving students hands-on experience that prepares them not just to succeed as entrepreneurs and SME leaders, but to lead with purpose. We’re embedding a mindset of impact, social, environmental, and digital at the curricular core. This practical, mission-driven approach is exactly what the U!Innovate vision stands for.” — Victor Cabral, WP4 Leader, AUAS

Involved research groups

Professorship of Entrepreneurship
AUAS Centre of Economic Transformation
Interdisciplinary Sustainability Labs under U!REKA CoEs

Research team AUAS

Victor Cabral
JuanFra Alvarado Valenzuela
Anita Ghans
Gideon Bazen
Patricia Van Hemert
Daniela Redondo