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PATRAS INNOVATION QUEST (PatrasIQ)
Published on 07 February 2018
Greece
Dytiki Elláda
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
Patras IQ is a joint venture among 2 Greek Ministries (Ministry of Education, Research & Religious Affairs & Ministry of Economy, Development & Tourism), the Regional Authority of Western Greece, the Achaia Chamber of Commerce, and 3 Universities (University of Patras, Technological Educational Institute of W.G and Hellenic Open University). During Patras IQ event, which is organized annually for 3 consecutive days, researchers present to the productive sector as well as to investors mature research results that can potentially be exploited entrepreneurially and commercially. Furthermore, problems that the productive sector is facing are being discussed in order for researchers to offer feasible solutions. The purpose of these actions is to familiarize both researchers and the productive sector with the knowledge management process and the exploitation of innovative ideas into more bankable projects, the mechanisms and conditions for building networks and clusters, for achieving cross-sector collaborations and exploring alternative ways of financing innovation.
Apart from the exhibition kiosks, Patras IQ includes a series of inspiration speeches held every year by business mentors and innovation contests organized by different actors. Furthermore, business accelerator programmes and other funding instruments are presented by funds and private companies, as well as B2B meetings and other networking events take place during the 3-days event.
Apart from the exhibition kiosks, Patras IQ includes a series of inspiration speeches held every year by business mentors and innovation contests organized by different actors. Furthermore, business accelerator programmes and other funding instruments are presented by funds and private companies, as well as B2B meetings and other networking events take place during the 3-days event.
Resources needed
An average funding of aprox. 50.000€ (plus sponsorships) is required every year. The organizing committee consists of one representative per founding member. Around 100 volunteers are engaged every year to support the organization of the exhibition.
Evidence of success
The event has grown in terms of both participants & visitors. Started in 2012 with 40 exhibitors and 300 visitors, in the last years it encountered more than 100 exhibitors and over 7000 visitors. In 2019 more than 80 innovative ideas/start-ups were presented in different events to potential investors (AGROINNOECO innovation contest, Re-startup Patras, etc., see also https://www.patrasiq.gr/news.php).
Potential for learning or transfer
Effective practice transfer must include the establishment of a strong local collaboration among the representatives of the 4 helix pillars, namely:
1. Research actors (universities, technological institutes, research centers etc)
2. Entrepreneurship actors (chambers, industry representatives, incubators, accelerators etc)
3. Policy making actors (ministries ,regions, municipalities etc)
4. Open social actors (students communities, start-up ecosystems, associations, clubs etc)
Such actors must jointly initiate an attempt to create a similar structure that will encourage entrepreneurial spirit among academic students and researchers and foster start-up attempts by them preferably along (but not necessarily) with existing entrepreneurs.
In the case that a Region has an academic and research background such a structure could effectively orient this research capacity to bankable projects that could funding sources ranging from ROPs, to angel investments, to crowdfunding etc.
1. Research actors (universities, technological institutes, research centers etc)
2. Entrepreneurship actors (chambers, industry representatives, incubators, accelerators etc)
3. Policy making actors (ministries ,regions, municipalities etc)
4. Open social actors (students communities, start-up ecosystems, associations, clubs etc)
Such actors must jointly initiate an attempt to create a similar structure that will encourage entrepreneurial spirit among academic students and researchers and foster start-up attempts by them preferably along (but not necessarily) with existing entrepreneurs.
In the case that a Region has an academic and research background such a structure could effectively orient this research capacity to bankable projects that could funding sources ranging from ROPs, to angel investments, to crowdfunding etc.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND OF REGION OF WESTERN GREECE ON BEHALF OF REGION OF WES
Greece
Dytiki Elláda
Contact
Director