HAMK leads the strengthening of innovation and entrepreneurship skills in RUN-EU universities and operational areas across Europe
RUN European University (RUN-EU) institutions strengthen innovation and entrepreneurship skills and support the creation of startups in a project coordinated by Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK). The vision is that more RUN-EU graduates choose to become entrepreneurs in the future and that the RUN-EU can better offer support and networks to startups. RUN-EU consists of eight higher education institutions including HAMK and they are located in seven different countries in Europe.
RUN-EU is developing three Innovation Hubs as environments for joint research, development, and innovation. The key themes of these Innovation Hubs are Future sustainable industries, Bioeconomy, and Social innovation. The RUN InnoBoost project started in spring 2025 and it will boost the operations of the Innovation Hubs by strengthening innovation and entrepreneurship skills and by creating a framework to support innovation and entrepreneurship.
RUN InnoBoost will operate on three levels: individual, organizational, and RUN-EU level. On the individual level the project offers educational activities for students and training for educators and researchers. From the organizational point of view, RUN InnoBoost prepares innovation and entrepreneurship agendas for each RUN-EU institution, for example. On the RUN-EU level, the project will set up Living Labs to connect regional networks and support startups and innovation.
RUN InnoBoost is a great opportunity for companies and collaboration between different players in our region – it offers opportunities to test ideas in Living Labs, utilize mentor networks and connect new partners. In the coming months, we will organise trainings and workshops, and I hope that those planning for entrepreneurship will join and build the business of the future.
Kirsi Vesterinen, Project Manager of RUN InnoBoost
Eight RUN-EU institutions are involved in RUN InnoBoost: HAMK (Finland), Polytechnic Institute of Leiria (Portugal), Polytechnic Institute of Cavado and Ave (Portugal), Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest (Ireland), NHL Stenden (Netherlands), Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences (Austria), Howest University of Applied Sciences (Belgium), and University of Burgos (Spain). The consortium also includes trusted industry partners: business accelerator StartUp Leiria (Portugal) and marketing and communications company Momentum (Ireland).
Furthermore, regional collaboration is strengthened by associated partners Crazy Town (Finland), Stichting Founded in the North (Netherlands), Design Region Kortrijk (Belgium) ja StartUp Braga (Portugal).
What this is about
RUN InnoBoost – Boosting innovation and entrepreneurship in RUN European University
- Duration: 1.4.2025-30.4.2027
- Funder: European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) Food, Higher Education Initiative (HEI)
Contact:
RUN European University
We are part of RUN European University, which brings together eight European higher education institutions from seven countries committed to a common vision.
