Scale2Connect · EXPANDING SKILLS2SCALE ALLIANCE TO ENHANCE THE ACADEMIA-ENTERPRISE COLLABORATIONS FOR DEEP TECH INNOVATION

Scale2Connect aims to enhance Europe's innovation ecosystems by expanding and adapting the successful Skills2Scale model to new regions, with a particular focus on deep tech fields. The project aims to bridge the gap between well-connected innovation hubs and emerging ecosystems, fostering balanced regional development and strengthening academia-enterprise collaborations across Europe and beyond.The genesis of Scale2Connect lies in the recognition of the growing disparities in innovation capacities across European regions, particularly in the realm of deep tech. While some areas boast flourishing innovation hubs with strong academia-industry links, others struggle to build the necessary ecosystem to support deep tech innovation and entrepreneurship. This imbalance not only hinders the overall competitiveness of Europe in the global innovation landscape but also exacerbates regional economic disparities.The project builds upon the achievements of Skills2Scale, which has demonstrated significant impact in empowering Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the field of deep tech and Beyond 5G technologies. Skills2Scale successfully established a model for enhancing the innovation and entrepreneurial capacities of HEIs, fostering closer ties with industry, and supporting the development of cutting-edge technologies. Scale2Connect seeks to extend this success to other regions and deep tech domains, recognizing the potential for transformative impact across a broader European landscape.