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18.12.2024 10.15

Building innovation in sport and health: INSHAPE European Network calls for new SMEs to join

INSHAPE and Co-funded by European Union logos

The INSHAPE European Network of Innovation Hubs continues to drive forward its mission to make European society more active and healthier: more SMEs working in the fields of sport and vitality will be able to join INSHAPE in the coming months and receive support to scale up the EU market. Indeed, through a collaborative network of regional Hubs and service providers, INSHAPE focuses on encouraging innovation and aims to foster a culture of proactive care for health. By leveraging interregional cooperation, INSHAPE contributes to both public health improvements and economic growth within the EU. 

The I3-INSHAPE project, co-funded by the European Union’s I3 (Interregional Innovation Investments) programme, is a key milestone in this journey. This project seeks to establish the basis for the European Network of Innovation Hubs, fostering collaboration among SMEs and companies, stakeholders, citiezens, and end-users across Europe.  

At the recent meeting in Rovaniemi (Finland) from September 24–25 in the framework of the project development, project partners from the regions of Lapland, South Netherlands, Lahti, Kajaani, East Hungary, Valencia, Catalunya plus the European Platform for Sport Innovation, discussed the core aspects of INSHAPE. 

The Open Calls for SMEs from partner’s regions 

Open Calls were officially launched at the ELIS Summit in Eindhoven on the 13th of November. These calls are designed to encourage new collaborations between companies across regions. SMEs fro from the same regions as project partners can present their applications by submitting a project to overcome specific challenges of the sports and vitality sector. The selected projects will receive funding of up to €30.5K, along with tailored support.  

The Service Catalogue 

Another crucial outcome from the meeting was the development of a comprehensive service catalogue. This catalogue will provide an essential tool for connecting innovation hubs, companies, and service providers, listing services related to key areas identified through the ELIS Pitch Stop approach at the ELIS Summit in Eindhoven. These services range from business support to technical resources, and will be accessible via the INSHAPE website, which will be launched in November 2024. 

The INSHAPE Network: a call to SMEs and innovators 

INSHAPE’s success depends on the involvement of a wide network of stakeholders. SMEs of the sports sector are invited to join the network and take advantage of the open calls. By participating, organizations will gain access to vital funding, support, and innovation resources, helping to scale up in the European market and contribute to a more active, healthy Europe. 

The next appointment will be the ELIS Pitch Stop Event and the ELIS Innovation Summit on the 13th of November, where the I3-INSHAPE Open Calls will be announced, companies’ progress will be evaluated and SMEs can showcase their innovation solutions. 

Stay connected with INSHAPE on Linkedin and be part of this initiative.  

List of project partners:  

  • Cluster Sports and Technology – CST (South Netherlands) 
  • IMEC (South Netherlands) 
  • InnoBeweegLab (South Netherlands) 
  • European Platform for Sport Innovation – EPSI (Brussels region, BE) 
  • LAB University of Applied Sciences (Lahti region, FI) 
  • LADEC (Lahti Region, FI) 
  • University of Jyväskylä (Lahti region, FI) 
  • Kainuu University – KAMK (Kajaani region, FI) 
  • Lapland University of Applied Sciences – LUAS (Lapland region, FI) 
  • MSE Cluster Ltd (East Hungary) 
  • Universidad Europea de Valencia – UEV (Valencia region, ES) 
  • 4ivlcesport (Valencia region, ES) 
  • Metric Salad (Valencia region, ES) 
  • ACCIÓ (Catalunya region, ES) 
  • INDESCAT (Catalunya region, ES) 

Preselected flagship SMEs 

  • ViNotion (South Netherlands) 
  • CSE Entertainment (Kajaani region, FI) 
  • Comeback Center (Lapland region, FI) 
  • Blautic Designs – SL (Valencia Region, ES) 
  • ONALABS (Catalunya region, ES)