How can scientific research be more effectively transformed into real-world innovations? How can universities better support students, researchers and startups in developing technologies that address today’s societal challenges?
The Faculty of Space Technologies at AGH University of Krakow is implementing SPACE-INNOVATE@UNIVERSEH, an international project developed within the UNIVERSEH European University Alliance. The project aims to strengthen innovation and entrepreneurial capacity in higher education, with a particular focus on the space sector. Its vision is to build a strong European ecosystem in which universities, students, researchers, entrepreneurs and industry partners work together to develop technologies and solutions with meaningful social and economic impact.
AGH University of Krakow is the project coordinator, with Dr Agata Harasymczuk from the Faculty of Space Technologies serving as project coordinator.
Space technologies have applications far beyond the space sector itself. They support areas such as Earth observation, climate protection, sustainable agriculture and digital transformation. SPACE-INNOVATE@UNIVERSEH focuses on harnessing this potential and developing the skills needed to turn scientific knowledge and technological advances into innovative products, services and business ventures.
A key element of the project is strengthening cooperation between academia, industry and European innovation ecosystems. This will help universities connect research and education more effectively with market needs and develop solutions with tangible societal and economic benefits.
The project also establishes close cooperation with EIT Climate-KIC and EIT Food. These partnerships are intended to create lasting links between universities and European innovation networks, while providing participants with access to educational initiatives, entrepreneurship programmes and startup support opportunities.
One of the main objectives of SPACE-INNOVATE@UNIVERSEH is to improve the process of transforming scientific research into solutions that are ready for market implementation. Achieving this requires not only excellent research, but also appropriate institutional structures, entrepreneurial skills and collaboration with external stakeholders.
The project will develop mechanisms supporting research commercialisation, startup creation and the growth of innovative ventures. Planned activities include mentoring programmes, collaboration tools connecting universities with external partners, and solutions that help innovators develop, validate and implement new ideas.
The project will also strengthen cooperation between existing startups, universities, industry experts and European acceleration programmes. Companies will be able to access support such as mentoring, legal advice, matchmaking with potential partners and assistance with internationalisation.
An important part of the project is the integration of innovation and entrepreneurship into educational programmes across the UNIVERSEH Alliance. The aim is to equip students, doctoral candidates, researchers and academic staff with the skills to develop new technologies, recognise their potential and turn research-based ideas into viable solutions.
The project will develop new courses, educational resources and training activities. Interdisciplinary learning will be particularly important, connecting science and engineering with entrepreneurship, management and collaboration with external partners. Teaching will draw on practical experience, real-world challenges and interdisciplinary projects.
One of the key activities will be the development of the Innovation for Future Technologies course, designed to strengthen innovation and entrepreneurship competences among students, researchers and university staff. The project will also support educational pathways at undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels and strengthen links between education and EIT initiatives.
SPACE-INNOVATE@UNIVERSEH is not limited to individual educational activities or short-term entrepreneurship initiatives. It also aims to bring about long-term changes in how universities operate and cooperate with European innovation ecosystems.
One of the tools supporting this ambition is the Innovation Vision Action Plan (IVAP). Based on an assessment of the needs and capacities of participating institutions, the project will develop measures to strengthen innovation governance, integrate entrepreneurship into curricula, improve startup support and expand cooperation with the EIT innovation communities.
The project aims to make entrepreneurship and research commercialisation permanent elements of university strategies and organisational structures, rather than activities dependent on isolated initiatives or short-term projects. Another priority is to establish common cooperation mechanisms across the alliance, facilitating knowledge exchange, coordinated action and support for innovative ventures across national borders.
The project has set measurable targets designed to develop innovation and entrepreneurship skills, strengthen institutional support structures and expand collaboration between universities and European partners.
Its key targets include:
These targets will be supported through training programmes, mentoring, collaboration with external partners, incubation structures, innovation labs, digital tools and shared guidelines for innovation and entrepreneurship. The project will also establish pathways connecting university innovation teams with EIT programmes, accelerators and instruments supporting venture development and investment.
In the long term, the project aims to create a stronger and more integrated European innovation ecosystem in which universities can more effectively translate scientific excellence into new technologies, startups and solutions addressing today’s challenges. SPACE-INNOVATE@UNIVERSEH will thereby contribute to Europe’s competitiveness in the growing space economy and strengthen the role of higher education in delivering innovation with social and economic value.
The project is implemented by an international consortium of universities and organisations supporting innovation, entrepreneurship, technology transfer and startup development.
The project partners are:
The consortium brings together academic, technological, educational and business expertise to develop joint innovation support mechanisms and establish lasting connections between European universities and entrepreneurship ecosystems.
