The overarching objective of OPEN-INNO-Train is to form an international and inter-sectoral network of organisations collaboratively working on the joint research field of Open Innovation, University-Industry Cooperation and Research Translation. To facilitate Knowledge Development and Sharing in four contemporary areas - FinTech, Industry 4.0, CleanTech, FoodTech. For globally interconnected societies, scientific research has the potential to foster yet unrealised economic growth, competitiveness, and wellbeing. The conversion of research outputs into tangible outcomes, and, ultimately, sustainable impact is critically important and needs optimising. The process of converting research findings into economic and social benefits appears increasingly complex at a time when researchers often work in multidisciplinary teams, in a context of Open Innovation when cooperating with industry and other stakeholders. Illuminating it from the perspective of Research Translation, an approach increasingly gaining traction in the specific setting of University-Industry Collaboration, OPEN-INNO-TRAIN aims at opening the black box of knowledge conversion processes to generate and apply new insights from those four industry areas. Furthermore, OPEN-INNO-TRAIN encapsulates the development of robust Research Translation tools capable of facilitating the translation process of multidisciplinary research findings for the generation of impact. Combining scientific excellence from European and international universities, Research and Technology Organisations with hands on expertise from pioneering companies, OPEN-INNO-TRAIN will spearhead this sustainable venture using digital innovation hubs, co-tutelle, industrial PhDs, PPPs and training measures to encourage international cooperation among researchers and industry practitioners across disciplines whose final aim is to holistically foster, enhance and sustain over time the application of good research translation practices.

<< Background >>The fundamental aim of AHEH is to improve the long-term prospects of our Arts and Humanities graduates and to equip them with the tools and confidence they need to succeed. Through a comprehensive programme of activities, we collaboratively researched a perceived skills gap between academia and business to inform the development and pilot-testing of an innovative training programme, tailored to the specific needs, sensibilities and learning style preferences of HEI arts and humanities students.<< Objectives >>1.Better align HEI entrepreneurship training to EntreComp. Create a training programme to up-skill HEI staff, embed delivery & translation within Arts & Humanities (A&H) faculties via dedicated Hubs2.Foster business/HEI collaboration to meet stakeholder needs, improve understanding of entrepreneurship & expand knowledge exchange & RD&I. 3.Foster business innovation through engagement with A&H students4.Develop & mentor A&H students through AHEH 5.Improve student entrepreneurial ability<< Implementation >>Research to ensure alignment with training needs specific to A&H. Inc. surveys, literature review, case studies & interviews. This informed the development of AHEH challenge-based training programme, reflecting preferred active learning style identified. Partners collaborated with stakeholders to film challenges for learners. Training was pilot-tested & evaluated at national & EU level to enable further refinement. Enterprise partner engagement was invaluable to give ‘in the moment’ feedback.<< Results >>•Multi-method research activity & contextual review report•Training programme, framework, resources and trainer & user manuals •Pilot training at EU & national level & reports•AHEH online platform, contents, platform map & manual•Webinar series•7 Entrepreneurship Hubs for A&H students in partner HEIs•Externally-set challenges•Dissemination assets, resources & report•Exploitation plan & manual for Hubs•Quality manual & reports•Project Management reports/agreements

European innovation performance continues to increase, yet inequalities, particularly in access to investment, are still noteworthy. There is a need to close the performance gaps, which are still visible between Strong Innovators (North and West EU) and Moderate and Emerging Innovators (South and East EU mostly). A major asset to successful and sustainable business growth relies upon awareness and strong communication between innovative sectors and investors on available resources, their access and interventions by public/private funders. Improving networking between innovation ecosystems is key to the success of growing businesses and driving continued economic development. HER FUND’s ambition is to foster knowledge-sharing and synergies between innovation actors, existing initiatives/projects in order to support the next generation of startups, with an emphasis on women-led companies and gender-conscious investors. These interactions will notably lead to best practices’ identification, capacity-building activities and guidelines. Strengthening and broadening an interregional collaboration hub will promote a more competitive EU and a more sustainable, inclusive, diverse and resilient world. This will be done in a community-driven, cross-functional, cross-sectoral, multiplier based way, with partners bringing together communities of experts from different deep-tech sectors from around Europe and beyond. HER FUND will 1) transform less connected territories into recognized and attractive innovation valleys that pool and reward investments, 2) create bridges between EU innovation ecosystems increasing access to capital and investment in less connected innovation ecosystems and allowing local start-ups benefiting from foreign investments, 3) raise the number of gender conscious investors in Europe for support to women-led companies, 4) boost women entrepreneurship, especially in Moderate and Emerging Innovators offering them access to more funding opportunities