European Innovation Council and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology to work closer together for Europe’s innovators

Today, during a high-level online event opened by Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Mariya Gabriel, the European Innovation Council (EIC) and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to reinforce their cooperation to support Europe’s best entrepreneurs. The agreement aims to support innovators, innovative SMEs and start-ups, as well as higher education institutions and research organisations, to receive quality services and deploy and scale up their innovations faster, enabling greater impact. It will strengthen the support that the EIC and EIT are already providing to thousands of innovative start-ups and SMEs and will ensure mutual access to advisory services and networks, as well as sharing of data and intelligence, including measurements of impacts achieved. The two initiatives will also join forces to improve diversity in science and research, supporting women innovators and innovators from less represented regions. Commissioner Gabriel said: “Europe needs to work together to compete globally on innovation. Today’s signature shows that we are ready to do this. I am proud that Europe’s new innovation initiative – the European Innovation Council – is joining forces with our existing body – the European Institute of Innovation and Technology. Both of them will contribute to accelerating the twin transition to a green and digital economy as well as to create jobs and opportunities for all the talented innovators across Europe.” To reach the objectives of the Memorandum of Understanding, the EIC Advisory Board and the EIT Governing Board will set up a permanent structured collaboration through a joint working group, regular reviews and joint communication efforts. This will be supported by the respective implementing agencies and Commission services. Today’s signature follows the signature in September 2020 of a letter of intent between the EIC and three of the EIT’s Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs), as well as a set of pilot actions between the EIC and four of the EIT KICs. More information is available here.