About

RUN InnoBoost is a European project that strengthens the role of universities in driving innovation, entrepreneurship, and regional development as part of a long-term transformation of how we connect higher education with real-world impact in eight regions across Europe.

Funded by the EIT Higher Education Initiative (EIT HEI) and supported by EIT Food, the project brings together ten higher education and innovation partners, working under the umbrella of the RUN-EU European University Alliance.

Focus Areas

RUN InnoBoost is built around three core strategic pillars. These define how we turn vision into action and how we make innovation meaningful across education, research, and regions.

All our activities are linked to the strategic goals of EIT Food and EIT Digital, especially in the fields of bioeconomy, future industries, and social innovation – see more in Focus Areas.

1. Building Innovative Institutions

Unlocking the potential of universities to lead innovation.

We work directly with our eight higher education institutions in the RUN-EU alliance to strengthen their ability to support innovation, through individual projects, and embedding entrepreneurship in how they operate.

This includes:

  • Developing and implementing Innovation & Entrepreneurship Agendas at institutional and alliance level
  • Creating new structures to support knowledge valorisation, spin-outs, and entrepreneurial collaboration
  • Conducting regional SWOT analyses to ensure efforts align with local strengths and needs
  • Embedding innovation into governance, strategy, and institutional culture

To support this, experienced institutions within the consortium, our Innovation and Entrepreneurship Pioneers (e.g. University of Burgos (UBU), Polytechnic Institute of Leiria (IPL), Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences (FHV), and StartUp Leiria) mentor and guide newer partners through peer learning

Our aim: to make innovation a core, strategic function in every RUN-EU partner university.

2. Empowering People

Developing entrepreneurial skills where they’re needed most.

We invest in the people who make innovation happen: students, researchers, and educators. Through hands-on training, mentoring, and mobility, we help them build the mindset and capacity to lead change in their fields and our regions and communities.

Key initiatives include:

  • RUN-InnoBootCamps — 4-week blended programmes (3 weeks online + 1 week in-person), designed to build innovation skills and earn ECTS credits
  • A shared MOOC co-created by RUN-EU partners, offering flexible and accessible entrepreneurship training
  • Online-only bootcamps and modular workshops for those needing fully remote options
  • Innovation pedagogy training for teachers, including 10-hour online sessions and in-person SuperWeeks
  • Skills in design thinking, start-up creation, mentoring, and impact assessment

We aim to reach:

Students
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Researchers
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Teachers across the consortium
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helping them turn knowledge into action and build real impact..

The result:   A new generation of professionals equipped to solve regional and global challenges.

3. Creating Interregional Innovation Pipelines

Connecting people, institutions, and ecosystems across borders.

Our goal is to establish interconnected pathways that link universities, businesses, and communities across Europe. These pipelines support idea development, start-up creation, and talent mobility, not as isolated activities, but as part of more impactful transformation.

At the centre of this are the RUN-EU Living Labs, launched in partner institutions and gradually scaled across the network.

Key features:

  • Living Labs as real-world innovation spaces, embedded in regional ecosystems
  • A structured RUN-EU Mentor Network offering guidance from entrepreneurs, investors, and domain experts
  • Start-up support services, including mentoring, funding advice, and business development tools
  • Interregional internships for students, coordinated via the RUN-EU mobility platform
  • Stronger links between SMEs, researchers, and educational partners across borders

Our ambition: to institutionalise these pipelines as permanent features of the RUN-EU European University,  creating a sustainable model of cross-border innovation leadership.

What Success Looks Like by 2030?

By the end of the decade, our goal is to create a model for a European Zone for Interregional Development (EZ-ID), a space where education, innovation, and business come together to strengthen Europe’s regions. Here’s what we aim to achieve:

of our graduates working as entrepreneurs
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of our researchers completing entrepreneurship training
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of our researchers completing entrepreneurship training
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new start-ups launched annually through our innovation pipelines
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Who Benefits?

RUN InnoBoost creates practical opportunities for the people and places that drive innovation. Whether you’re a student building your future, a researcher with ideas to share, an educator shaping learning, or a region looking to grow,  RUN InnoBoost will provide tangible benefits. Here’s what you can expect:

For Students

  • Join RUN-InnoBootCamps — 4-week blended programmes combining online and in-person training in entrepreneurship, design thinking, and start-up development. Earn ECTS credits for participation in bootcamps and innovation-focused learning activities
  • Access a dynamic MOOC designed by RUN-EU partners to build sector-specific innovation skills
  • Take part in Living Lab challenges and work in transdisciplinary teams with peers from across Europe
  • Receive one-to-one mentoring from experienced entrepreneurs, founders, and industry experts
  • Explore interregional internships and mobility opportunities through the RUN-EU network
  • Build a clear pathway into entrepreneurship or future-focused careers

For Researchers

  • Attend tailored online and in-person workshops in IPR, commercialisation, and sustainable impact
  • Take part in Living Labs focused on bioeconomy, future industries, or social innovation
  • Join transdisciplinary workshops and research-focused events like Innovation Days and ICARUS
  • Get support to connect your research with business partners and regional innovation needs

For Educators

  • Gain practical tools to embed entrepreneurial learning in your teaching
  • Apply innovation methods (e.g. hackathons, pitching events) using templates and toolkits provided
  • Collaborate with fellow educators across eight European regions
  • Participate in online innovation pedagogy workshops and SuperWeek training events
  • Gain recognition and CPD for contributing to entrepreneurial education and curriculum development

For Regions & Communities

  • Connect with RUN-EU partners to co-design innovation activities tailored to specific regional  needs
  • Host and benefit from Living Labs that support real-world solutions and start-up activity
  • Access trained student and research talent with skills aligned to Smart Specialisation Strategies
  • Engage in business partnerships, mentorship, and events that drive economic and social value
  • Strengthen regional resilience through new models of cooperation and inclusive innovation

And in case you are wondering, WP1 is Project Management, coordinating delivery, communication, reporting, and strategic alignment across the partnership.