In recent years, the role of universities in Europe has undergone a profound transformation. From places mainly dedicated to training and research, universities are increasingly called upon to become central players in innovation ecosystems, capable of generating social, environmental and economic impact. BIKE-HEI – Boosting Innovative and Knowledge-based Entrepreneurship of HEIs, a project that aims to strengthen the contribution of higher education institutions in the twin green and digital transitions, fits into this scenario.
The project starts from the acknowledgement that Artificial Intelligence represents a key tool to accelerate the transition toward a Green Economy and a more sustainable society. When integrated into innovation processes, AI can improve prototyping, optimise the use of resources, reduce emissions and minimise waste, making a concrete contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, despite the widespread use of AI tools among students, few have a critical and strategic understanding of these technologies; targeted investment in literacy, training, and skills transfer is needed.
BIKE-HEI was created precisely to respond to this need, supporting universities in strengthening their innovation and entrepreneurship capacities in the fields of Environmental Protection, Climate Action and Green Economy. In line with the priorities of the European Union, such as the Green Deal and the European Digital Decade Policy Programme, the project promotes an integrated vision of the “Twin Transformation”, in which sustainability and digitalisation proceed together.
One of the central elements of the project is the creation of a joint Hub for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the BIKE Hub, where universities, companies, science parks, research organisations, innovation clusters and NGOs can better connect. Through this hub, BIKE-HEI supports the creation and development of academic start-ups and spin-offs, enhancing the research results and innovative ideas of students and researchers.
Alongside the structural dimension, the project invests heavily in people. BIKE-HEI develops and implements training and mentoring programmes for students, academic staff and administrative staff, with the aim of strengthening entrepreneurial skills, innovation skills and knowledge on the use of AI applied to green sectors. These paths not only foster the professional growth of the participants, but also contribute to improving the institutional innovation strategies and policies of the universities involved.
The project also includes the mapping of local and regional innovation ecosystems, identifying existing strengths, opportunities and gaps. This analytical work becomes the basis for building stronger and more lasting collaborations, capable of supporting academic entrepreneurship in the long term and strengthening the role of universities as engines of territorial development.
The impact of BIKE-HEI translates into significant numbers: hundreds of students and staff members involved in training and mentoring programmes, direct support to emerging start-ups and spin-offs, the creation of new strategic partnerships and the definition of replicable models for university innovation. The BIKE-HEI Innovation & Entrepreneurship Award, an initiative designed to enhance and support the most promising business ideas in the field of AI, climate and the green economy, is also part of this framework.
Through BIKE-HEI, universities are accompanied on a transformation path that goes beyond the project itself. The ultimate goal is to build more inclusive, sustainable and interconnected innovation ecosystems, where knowledge, technology and entrepreneurship work together to address the environmental and social challenges of both present and future.
About BIKE-HEI
BIKE-HEI – Boosting Innovative and Knowledge-based Entrepreneurship of HEIs is a project co-funded by EIT Raw Materials for the EIT HEI Initiative Call for Proposals 2024.
Partners
- University of Alicante (Spain, coordinator)
- Universität des Saarlandes (Germany)
- University of Primorska (Slovenia)
- Mariupol State University (Ukraine)
- META Group Srl (Italy)
- CESIE ETS (Italy)
- Association of Balkan Eco-Innovation (Serbia)
- The Arctic University of Norway (Norway, associate)
- Alicante Science Park (Spain, associate)
For further information
Read more about the project. Visit the webisite https://bike-hub.eu/. Follow us on LinkedIn.
Contact Marco Gennaro: marco.gennaro@cesie.org.
