The I3-INSHAPE project meeting in Eindhoven concluded successfully after three days of intensive activities and interregional collaboration. The event brought together the European consortium partners, marking the first meeting between Flagships and SMEs, along with their co-developers, in a unique collaborative working experience.
The second day focused on two main activities: the ELIS Pitch Stop Event and discussions on WP3 and WP4. During the Pitch Stop Event, SMEs presented their business cases and participated in feedback sessions with experts, aiming to identify specific services that consortium partners can offer to support these co-developed projects. This dynamic helped to better align the resources and capabilities of the partners with the needs of the SMEs, strengthening the upcoming service catalog of the hubs participating in the project.
In addition, there was an in-depth discussion on the content of the upcoming Open Calls of WP3 and the structure of the upcoming WP4 data framework, focusing on ensuring the availability of data and digitalization services for SMEs. Best practices for offering data analysis services were reviewed, aiming to optimize support for the participating SMEs and facilitate access to advanced tools that will drive their innovation projects. The day concluded with a networking dinner.
The third and final day of the event was dedicated to the ELIS Innovation Summit, held at the prestigious High-Tech Campus in Eindhoven. During the Summit, SMEs showcased their products and technological solutions in the exhibition area, presenting innovations focused on sports and active wellness to an international audience of investors and strategic partners.
A highlight of the event was the visit to the Workplace Vitality Hub and the Holst Centre, both located at the High-Tech Campus. The Holst Centre, renowned for its leadership in applied research, and the Workplace Vitality Hub are key spaces where IMEC, a partner of the I3-INSHAPE consortium, conducts research and development projects focused on technologies for workplace wellness and health. This visit allowed participants to learn firsthand about the latest technological advances and explore new collaboration opportunities.
The event demonstrated the impact of the living labs approach in creating successful business cases and allowed partners to plan the next steps for project development. Additionally, the upcoming I3-INSHAPE Open Calls were announced during the ELIS Innovation Summit, inviting new SMEs to join and benefit from the resources and collaboration opportunities offered by the platform to create interregional co-development, which will be unveiled in the coming months.
