INNOV-8-2-CREATE
About this good practice
The INNOV-8-2-CREATE Programme, funded by Horizon Europe and led by the University of Galway in partnership with the University of Turin and Riga Technical University, enhances innovation and collaboration in Europe by addressing regional disparities. The programme is ongoing and assists postgraduate research students in commercialising their ideas into university spin-offs. Part of the programme is based in the Ideaslab, a digital hub within the University of Galway that promotes innovation and enables distributed-team and remote working.
Good practices encompass targeted pre-accelerator programmes, tailored content and continuous improvement. Additionally, the programme provides a unique toolkit for commercialization, methodologies to enhance Innovator Readiness Level and professional skill development in areas such as market research, ethical entrepreneurship, and grant writing. It includes activities related to EDI in Innovation, patent applications, IP protection, and grant applications.
The main objective is to achieve lasting impact by fostering cooperation and collaboration in innovation, enriching knowledge exchange at local, regional, and international levels. The Accelerator, a unique, dynamic-style module delivered over a 10-week period, addresses SDG 4: Quality Education by providing a robust foundational understanding of innovation practices, aligning with SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.
Resources needed
The funding received was 498,836. Funding enabled a 1FTE Innovation Training Manager to work as programme manager and co-ordinator. Other costs included a Market Research consultant and business consultant for training, as well as travel costs for European wide project team meetings.
Evidence of success
Tangible Outputs
• Application for feasibility grants to do a full market assessment.
• Commercial grant applications for technology development
• Applications to further accelerator programmes to move from technology to market.
• Social enterprise models and funding sought
• Concepts protected through patents and other IP management.
• Pivots of ideas into what the market really needs.
• Collaborations with Industry.
Potential for learning or transfer
The INNOV-8-2-CREATE Programme offers valuable insights and practices in fostering innovation, collaboration, and capacity building. Its success in addressing regional disparities and driving sustainable economic growth through targeted pre-accelerator programmes and collaborative approaches serves as a model for other regions and institutions.
By leveraging lessons learned and best practices from INNOV-8-2-CREATE, stakeholders can enhance their innovation ecosystems, improve collaboration among diverse actors, and foster a culture of entrepreneurship and knowledge exchange.
The Innovate-2-Create programme is a certain part the University's contribution to innovation in the Western Seaboard in Ireland. Programmes run by the University, including this good practice, have and will influence and contribute to the economic policies of national and regional development organisations such as Enterprise Ireland, the Western Development Commission and Údarás na Gaeltachta.