DeepTechValleys Launch

The DeepTechValleys project has officially started. The project is co-funded by the European Union through the Interreg Europe Programme and is being led by, the Regional Development Fund of Central Macedonia, Greece, in partnership with, Lithuanian Innovation Centre- LT, Region Vasterbotten-SE, Agentia pentru Dezvoltare Regionala Sud-Vest Oltenia-RO, Steirische Wirtschaftsförderung-AT, Innovation and Energy Agency-SK, Leiria Region Intermunicipal Community-PT, Catalonia Trade and Investment-ES, Laval Mayenne Technopole-FR, and Envolve Entrepreneurship-GR as an advisory partner.

DeepTechValleys, aims at improving regional policies to nurture deep tech innovation, which is a priority in the EU agenda. Deep tech innovation is a field recognized for its possibility to enhance economic growth, create jobs, and address global challenges.

During the project, eleven (11) Exchange of Experience (EoE) events will be held, aiming at the exchange of insights, best practices, and strategies, among the partner regions, in the area of deep tech innovation. This process facilitates an environment valuable for mutual learning and contributes in creating more effective regional policies. These policies will then serve as essential platforms for this interregional learning process.

Each EoE event allows partner regions to share their experiences and learn from each other based on their successes, challenges, and best practices.

In May 2024, the first interregional Exchange of Experience (EoE) event, took place in Thessaloniki, Greece, with a duration of two (2) days. During the first day, May 28th, partners met at the Excelsior Hotel, for the consortium meeting, to discuss about some basic points. After a warm welcome and presentation of the agenda by the lead partner RDFCM, stakeholders of each region presented the status and deep tech innovation potential in their regions, with a Q&A and an interactive discussion that followed. After the networking lunch, participants joined a workshop on Ecosystem Mapping and Policy Analysis, doing some hands-on activities with visual tools, sharing best practices and challenges. Lastly, a policy analysis instrument was presented.  

On May 29th, participants had the opportunity to attend some study visits, in places that shape the deep tech ecosystem in the region of Central Macedonia. First, was the Centre for Research & Technology, Hellas (CERTH), where they had the opportunity to see firsthand, the latest researches and achievements in CERTH’s laboratories, as well as to experience the Smart Home project. Afterwards, a visit to i4bydesign was realized, a competence center that enhances the skillset of the manufacturing workforce in the 4.0 industry. A study visit at the Pfizer premises followed, an exceptional opportunity to experience a cutting edge technology office, as well as talking to people from the innovation ecosystem. Lastly, participants visited WalkAuth, the newly established accelerator of the Aristotle University, which helps student startups begin their entrepreneurial journey.

Throughout the four-year trajectory of the project, EoE events will examine the landscapes and ecosystems of nine different countries and their specific regions, where all different partners operate. All partners are dedicated and committed to achieve the project’s goals and nurture the deep tech and innovation ecosystem.