CinnovatE Project

The European project CinnovatE, supported by EIT Climate-KIC and coordinated by EIT RawMaterials, has officially launched. The project aims to empower Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to become key drivers of circular economy innovation and sustainability in urban environments. A consortium of six full partners and seven associate partners from across Europe will collaborate over the coming years to align education, research, and entrepreneurship with the needs of a circular economy. CinnovatE will implement new innovation and technology transfer units within participating HEIs, launch training and mentoring programmes on circular economy and entrepreneurship, and create student incubators to support the development of circular business ideas. The project will also run an acceleration programme for start-ups offering sustainable city solutions and will foster long-term alliances with industry, public bodies, and civic organisations to ensure the sustainability of its outcomes. Led by IE University, one of Europe’s top business schools, the CinnovatE consortium includes Nord University (Norway), the Architectural Association School of Architecture (UK), Lietuvos Verslo Kolegija (Lithuania), as well as business partners Spain Startup and Investors Services (South Summit) and PKF Attest innCome (Spain). CinnovatE responds to the need for a more dynamic, entrepreneurial and market-aligned higher education sector in Europe, particularly in the emerging field of the circular economy. Over the course of the project, CinnovatE aims to support 15 start-ups, create six entrepreneurship support units, deliver 50 training programmes, and build a strong, long-term stakeholder network.