Ljubljana University Incubator becomes EIT project hub
Ljubljana, 8 November - The Ljubljana University Incubator has become the hub for all projects of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) in Slovenia. The incubator will work to bring together companies, educational and research institutions and local talents as well as to reduce disparity in innovation between regions.
The Ljubljana University Incubator will operate as a hub in Slovenia for eight EIT projects and initiatives across different areas such as health, food, materials and urban mobility, the incubator said.
It will work to connect leading companies, educational and research institutions, and local talents by providing access to resources in education entrepreneurship and innovation.
The centre aims to reduce the disparity in innovation between regions, increase Slovenia's competitiveness and contribute to a sustainable growth of the economy.
The incubator held an event on Thursday for potential partners, stakeholders, start-ups and entrepreneurs to commemorate the launch of the hub.
"Our new role will level up the work of the entire Slovenian EIT community, especially the national point of contact. The centre will allow us to be more present, which is needed for new programmes and continued support for innovation," director of the incubator Jakob Gajšek said at the event.
EIT is the largest innovation ecosystem in Europe, said member of the EIT management board and former Digital Transformation Minister Mark Boris Andrijančič. "By creating an EIT Community Hub in Slovenia we are opening wide the doors for all Slovenian innovators, entrepreneurs and pioneers to this large system full of partners, new knowledge and very interesting markets." Andrijančič said.
Similar hubs are being founded in more than 20 European countries, which will allow incubators to better connect and cooperate at the European level.
The Ljubljana University Incubator is also celebrating its 20th anniversary. It was founded in 2004 as one of the first institutions in Slovenia that offered help to young entrepreneurs, researchers and innovators. It has offered different services, including mentorship, training and networking to more than 400 companies.