The EIT has the vision to become the leading European initiative that empowers innovators and entrepreneurs to develop world-class solutions to societal challenges and create growth and skilled jobs.
To contribute to competitiveness and to reinforce the international attractiveness of the European economy and its innovation capacity, the EIT and its Innovation Communities will play a crucial role in attracting partner organisations, researchers and students from all over the world, as well as in cooperating with third-country organisations. In line with the EU’s strategic priorities, the EIT Community wants to promote international cooperation in research and innovation by creating a strong European brand and forging relations with key partners from around the globe. This allows:
- the EIT to position its innovation model at international level in alignment with existing EU and Member State initiatives
- access to the latest knowledge and the best talent worldwide
- global societal challenges to be tackled more effectively
- business opportunities to be created in new and emerging markets
- science diplomacy to be used as an influential instrument of external policy
As a result of these international cross-Innovation Community ambitions, shared cross-Innovation Community EIT Hubs in three strategic locations outside Europe may be established. A hub is already established in USA (Silicon Valley) and Israel (Tel Aviv), while a hub in China (Beijing) is under consideration. The activities of such EIT Hubs will be in alignment with the Strategic Framework for EIT Community Global Outreach Activities and expected to contribute to achieving the overall objectives of the EIT and of Horizon 2020, while fully respecting the bilateral EU-Outreach country (international) R&I agreements This is a collaborative work of the EIT and its Innovation Communities, in close coordination with the European Commission.
United States - Silicon Valley
The United States is a leader in top-class science, technology and innovation. Links with the EU have been strong since the US established various scientific and technological cooperation agreements in the 1990s, while also having been a privileged partner of many EU Member States in science, technology and innovation collaboration.
EIT Hub in Silicon Valley. Firstly, Silicon Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area at large are renowned as having a highly innovative and entrepreneurial spirit, a high density of talented and skilled workers, and an abundance of private and institutional funding. The region is, therefore, very valuable to European entrepreneurs. Secondly, the established presence of EIT Digital since 2014 provides an excellent basis on which to build a cross-Innovation Community presence. Experience from the initial years of operations of the EIT Digital Silicon Valley Hub will shape the development of the cross-Innovation Community EIT Hub Silicon Valley.
The EIT Innovation Communities involved in the cross-Innovation Community work in this location are EIT Climate-KIC, EIT Food, EIT Health and EIT Raw Materials, led by EIT Digital.
The EIT Hub Silicon Valley opened on 27 March 2019. Watch a video of the event!
Contact:
Eric Thelen, Director, EIT Digital Silicon Valley Hub; EIT Digital
Pui San Tam; Cross-KIC Events and operations organizer, EIT Hub Silicon Valley; EIT Digital
Israel – Tel Aviv
Israel has seen tremendous change over the past 30 years with a substantial increase in population and economic growth and the development of a strong and dynamic academic sector. This innovation and entrepreneurial hotbed has already resulted in the presence of partners of both EIT Health, EIT Food and EIT Urban Mobility in Israel, while the country has close links with Europe through its strong participation in the Horizon 2020 programme. The EIT Innovation Communities involved in the cross-Innovation Community KIC work in this location are: EIT Health, EIT Food, EIT Climate-KIC and the newly designated EIT Urban Mobility, led by EIT Health.
The EIT Community has asked EIT Health to lead on the establishment of an EIT Office in Tel Aviv with the official opening is planned for the winter of 2019.
The EIT Innovation Communities involved in the cross-Innovation Community work in this location are: EIT Climate-KIC and EIT Food, led by EIT Health.
Contact:
Balazs Furjes, Managing Director, InnoSTARS; EIT Health
Adi Barel, Cross-Innovation Community Manager, EIT Hub Israel; EIT Health
China - Beijing
China is the world's third largest economy after the EU and the USA with plans to move to an innovation-driven society, to foster a world class business environment, and to open access to many sectors such as telecoms, medical services, and new energy vehicles. Key opportunities include upgrading the manufacturing sector; provision of better services, and modernisation of agriculture, etc.
The links between China and the EU are strong, highlighted by the 2018 EU-China summit attended by Presidents Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker, where there was agreement to further develop the EU-China strategic partnership. The EIT Community also took note of the Commission proposal of 12 March 2019 listing 10 actions to review relations with China, and will align its activities with EU policy lines. This means that there is considerable momentum and opportunities to consider the establishment of an EIT office in Beijing and engage with Chinese organisations in order to strengthen the European innovation ecosystem through the EIT activities.
The EIT Community has asked EIT Climate-KIC to lead on the possible establishment of an EIT Office in Beijing.
The EIT Innovation Communities involved in the cross-Innovation Community work in this location are: EIT Digital, EIT Food, EIT Health and EIT Raw Materials, led by EIT Climate-KIC.
Contact:
Mary Ritter, International Ambassador and Former CEO; EIT Climate-KIC
Jonas Van Bockhaven, Cross-Innovation Community Project Officer, EIT Global Outreach Programme; EIT Climate-KIC