RUN InnoBoost strengthened innovation and entrepreneurial skills in the RUN-EU institutions and operating areas across Europe
RUN European University (RUN-EU) has three RDI networks, or innovation hubs: Future and Sustainable Industries, Bioeconomy and Social Innovation. The aim of the RUN InnoBoost project, which ended at the turn of the year, was to strengthen the operation of these hubs. We trained the students and staff of RUN-EU institutions on innovation and entrepreneurship topics and developed structures to support organisations. In addition, we established local development environments to work daily to achieve the goals of the innovation hubs.
RUN InnoBoost was a collaborative project of eight RUN-EU institutions, funded by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology. We offered all students of the RUN-EU institutions the opportunity to explore Design Thinking, commercialization and entrepreneurial mindset in the RUN InnoBootCamp, which was implemented as online studies and with five-day in-person teaching periods. During the in-person studies, the students delved into practical exercises in various themes, such as making a sales pitch. The face-to-face implementations organised at HAMK, TUS (Technological University of the Shannon, Ireland) and NHL Stenden (the Netherlands) also enabled students to network with each other.
The teachers received information and tools for incorporating entrepreneurship and innovation thinking into their own teaching, as well as orientation to the methods of innovation pedagogy and design-based learning, among other things. We strengthened the researchers’ competence in applying research-based knowledge in practical solutions. For example, the researchers delved into the ways in which a research result is commercialized as a product or service, as well as the legal issues that must be considered in the case of an invention or concept.
Groundwork to strengthen regional innovation collaboration
We identified the region-specific strengths and development needs related to the development of cooperation, entrepreneurship, and innovation activities. The strengths of the RUN-EU institutions include a significant role as regional innovation actors, a well-functioning culture of cooperation and established networks. The same strengths were also identified in Kanta-Häme. HAMK plays a significant role as the competence base of the region. However, there is still room for development in clarifying coordination and communication.
We in Kanta-Häme now have a basis for setting a common goal and the opportunity to direct cooperation towards more concrete and long-term measures to support the region’s vitality and innovations.
We in Kanta-Häme now have a basis for setting a common goal and the opportunity to direct cooperation towards more concrete and long-term measures to support the region’s vitality and innovations. We have prepared entrepreneurship and innovation agendas for the RUN-EU institutions involved in the project based on the strengths of the region, as well as a concept for the Living Lab activities, says Kirsi Vesterinen, who was the project manager of the project.
Living labs bring together regional actors and support new companies and innovations by combining education, RDI and regional development. For students, teachers, researchers, and companies Living labs offer an opportunity to gather together to consider solutions to problems. At HAMK, the Living lab activities are the responsibility of the innovation unit that was established last year. Our aim is to continue the work done in the RUN InnoBoost project towards a network that is highly competent in innovation and entrepreneurship. We encourage developing ideas into business, research into inventions and innovations, and building entrepreneurial start-up activities in the region to increase vitality and meaningful work.
Boosting innovation and entrepreneurship in RUN European University (RUN InnoBoost)
The RUN InnoBoost project was implemented 1.4.-31.12.2025.
- Project partners: HAMK (Finland), NHL Stenden (Netherlands), Howest University of Applied Sciences (Belgium), University of Burgos (Spain), Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest (Ireland), Polytechnic of Leiria (Portugal), Polytechnic of Cavado and Ave (Portugal), StartUp Leiria (Portugal), Momentum (Ireland).
- Funder: European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), Higher Education Initiative (HEI)
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