HOW TO BUILD A SUCCESSFUL INCUBATOR ECOSYSTEM IN THE ALPINE SPACE? THE POWER OF NETWORKS

Introduction

University research parks, business incubators, accelerators and technology transfer hubs are novel Research & Innovation providers that contribute to advancing entrepreneurship all over the world. However, it is widely recognized that innovators often struggle to scale up, as many of them find it difficult to reach people and develop strategic partnerships, especially in those areas facing specific socio-economic and environmental challenges, such as the Alpine region.
Networks are crucial tools to cut down the costs of innovation, as they facilitate the coordination of R&I activities, the access to new markets and technologies, the pooling of complementary knowledge and experience in order to boost lean and process innovation.
Since its establishment, the Alpine Macro-Region - represented by EUSALP Members - has been addressing important R&I priorities in the name of EU territorial cooperation and regional cohesion, with the aim to tackle common challenges and enhance competitiveness. Hence, the creation of a EUSALP-wide network of R&I clusters gathering businesses, labs and knowledge institutions is key to foster a more agile and dynamic innovation strategy, while capitalizing on existing infrastructures and resources.
The exchange of experiences, innovation-based solutions and technical expertise among different geographical areas, and between private and public actors, will enhance an effective network of collaboration. Furthermore, it will encourage and support research centers to move from basic to “applied” research, able to deliver innovative products and services, especially in the digital sector, which is changing the business landscape at an impressive speed.

Context

At the AG1 Workshop that will take place in Constance on 28 March 2019, the Action Group 1 intends to discuss on the elements and strategies that are leading to the development of a successful incubator ecosystem, to be extended across EUSALP regions and beyond.
Specific focus will be on creating the conditions for the enhancement of digital innovation to support the development of marginal and rural areas of the Alpine space, overcoming physical boundaries and bridging existing competence centers through the creation of transnational networks. In this context, EUSALP representatives will share their experiences and insights, as well as the main instruments to connect the dots across the Alpine Innovation ecosystem.

Scope and purpose

As the workshop will target digital innovation and relative networks in the Alpine space, the topic is certainly attractive for a heterogeneous audience, from higher education representatives to young entrepreneurs of high-tech start-ups.
Therefore, the purpose of the workshop is to stimulate the debate on how to promote connections and networking in EUSALP macro-area.
Starting from a discussion upon EUSALP mission and initiatives in the field of interregional cooperation and Smart Specialization, the event will look closer at regions’ best practices and existing tools to build on for the development of a network of digital innovation players within the Alpine territory, in order to foster transboundary collaboration and cross-sectorial fertilization.
This workshop will also provide an opportunity to reflect on how to involve the industry and local SMEs in the implementation of digital ecosystems aimed at building competitive transnational value chains.

Format and participation

The workshop will take place on 28th March, in a session from 9:30 to 18:00. There will be interventions by several speakers, a round table between the participants coordinated by a moderator, and a final wrap up.
The workshop will be attended by members of the AG1 (EUSALP) and representatives of the various institutions that will be presented during the event: the International Lake Constance Conference and University, the ArgeAlp-Project “Online Campus” (Kanton Graubünden), the EU-Commission (DG CONNECT and JRC), the Alpine Space Program (Munich), AlpGov, and the Four Motors for Europe (Working Group „Research and Higher Education”).