About
InnoVamos will strengthen collaboration between academia and industry in Macaronesia and West Africa by boosting open innovation and knowledge transfer. The project will support the creation of joint R&D projects, enhance technology valorisation, and promote entrepreneurship based on academic research. Among the expected results are the development of collaborative innovation strategies, improved research transfer capabilities, and the creation of knowledge-based companies, all contributing to a more dynamic and interconnected innovation ecosystem in the participating regions.
Enhancing Collaboration and Knowledge Transfer in Macaronesia and West Africa
InnoVamos addresses the critical challenge of fostering effective collaboration between universities, research centres, and businesses to drive innovation in the Macaronesia and West Africa regions. The project aims to accelerate technology transfer, enhance business competitiveness, and scale the innovation ecosystem to address shared regional challenges by strengthening the links between academia and SMEs.
Our Approach
InnoVamos takes a two-pronged approach to tackle these challenges and leverage opportunities:
1. Consolidating a Common Innovation Ecosystem: We are building an environment that fosters interaction between academia and industry by:
- Strengthening the capacity of both academia and industry to successfully implement open innovation processes.
- Establishing connections between academia and industry to align academic research with industry demands.
- Promoting public-private collaboration projects that translate academic theories into practical solutions for the market.
- Reinforcing collaboration structures such as technology agreements and university-business partnerships.
- Stimulating entrepreneurship that values and utilises knowledge generated in academia.
2. Expanding the Innovation Ecosystem: We are integrating the various regional ecosystems to create synergies, achieve economies of scale, and increase the resources available to improve the effectiveness of innovation systems.
Common Challenge
The innovation and technology transfer landscape faces the challenge of establishing an effective symbiosis between universities, research centres, and businesses, especially in strategic sectors, to drive open innovation and technology transfer in the region.
Expected Benefits
Strengthening the cooperation between academia and industry will directly improve applied research and knowledge transfer. This enhanced collaboration will lead to:
Aligned Research: Academia will focus its efforts on research areas that address specific market needs.
Opportunity Identification: Industry will be better positioned to identify emerging market opportunities based on a deeper understanding of academic research.
The focus on open innovation and close ties between academia and industry will empower SMEs to incorporate innovation processes and significantly increase their competitiveness.
Furthermore, channelling knowledge towards industry is crucial for the regions’ transition to a more sustainable socioeconomic model. In this context, the project will build upon previous POMACs (projects funded under the 2014–2020 Azores-Madeira-Canarias Cross-Border Cooperation Programme), where partners conducted research in areas relevant to sustainability, such as sustainable tourism, the blue economy, the green economy, the aerospace sector, and renewable energies.
Added Value
This project stands out for its integrative and collaborative approach, placing SMEs at the core. It seeks to maximise the efficiency of open innovation and boost technology transfer by fostering territorial cooperation and aligning academic research with business needs.