Transforming Innovation in Europe: Start for Future Launches European Cooperative Society

VARNA, Bulgaria - June 26, 2023 - PRLog -- The Start for Future (SFF) alliance has emerged as one of Europe's most dynamic and fastest-growing innovation alliances comprising academia, startups, industry, and public organizations. With a vision to revolutionize systemic innovation, the Cooperative is poised to drive transformative advancements that will shape the future of innovation in Europe.

The inaugural meeting, at the SFF Varna Summit on June 24 marked the establishment of the SFF Cooperative. 17 partners from the existing alliance, consisting of 36 universities, incubators, research, and business organizations, are founding members:

• Athens University of Economics and Business, Greece
• Cluj Cluster of Education C-EDU Romania
• Dundalk Institute of Technology, Ireland
• Edinburgh Napier University, UK
• EIT KIC Urban Mobility, Spain
• EURA AG, Germany
• Foundation for Innovation, Technology, and Transfer of Knowledge, Bosnia & Herzegovina
• HM Hochschule München University of Applied Sciences, Germany
• International Burch University, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Croatia
• Queen's University Belfast, UK
• Startups Academy, Greece
• Strascheg Center for Entrepreneurship, Germany
• The Edge; Research and Business Development, Bulgaria
• University of Aveiro, Portugal
• University of Information Technology and Management in Rzeszow, Poland
• VIA University College, Denmark
• Municipality of Varna, Bulgaria (Associated Partner)

"By fostering easier access to resources, funding and expert knowledge, the SFF Cooperative ensures the seamless conversion of insights and ideas into tangible offerings," explained Prof. Dr. Thomas Stumpp, Vice President at HM.

The Start for Future alliance, initiated in 2019 with the support of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), and further endorsed by the EIT HEI initiative, as well as EIT KICs Urban Mobility and Manufacturing, has brought together a passionate team of 36 visionary universities and their stakeholders from regional ecosystems.

"We believe that volume is required to achieve excellence. Volume is achieved with an inclusive and democratic model, where success benefits the entire network rather than just a select few. A scalable and democratic approach is essential, promoting an eco-centric rather than an ego-centric view." stated Martin Vendel, Academy Director of EIT KIC Urban Mobility.

The establishment of the SFF Cooperative presents exciting opportunities for European corporations, investors, regional ecosystems, and SMEs and brings together innovation actors from companies with universities and entrepreneurial talent.

"This collaborative ecosystem fosters co-creation, and provides corporations with a unique platform to engage with entrepreneurial-minded individuals, driving innovation within their own organizations. The Cooperative nurtures startups and spin-offs, providing opportunities for early-stage investments and promotes cross-sector collaboration and strategic partnerships" explained Prof. Dr. Klaus Sailer, CEO of Strascheg Center.

More: starforfuture.eu (https://startforfuture.eu/).