Natalia SADOVA, Leading Specialist of the International Cooperation Department of KhNUIA, and Svitlana VECHIRKO, Specialist of the same Department, took part in the online webinar «European Startup and Scaleup Hubs pilot project» (HORIZON-EIE-2026-02-CONNECT-01), organized by the European Innovation Council together with the European Innovation Council and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Executive Agency (EISMEA) and the Directorate-General Research and Innovation (RTD).

During the information day, the conditions for participation in the European Startup and Scaleup Hubs competition within the «Horizon Europe» Program for 2026-2027 were presented. The purpose of the competition is to strengthen cooperation between startups, SMEs and scientific institutions and establish effective interaction between industry and the academic environment.

Moderator, Head of Sector Unit I.1 EISMEA Daniel GASSMANN outlined the key tasks of the event. Kateryna NOVIKOVA, Deputy Head of the DG RTD A5 Department, presented the priorities of European innovation policy. Policy officer Cedric ADAM spoke about the support of startups and the content of the pilot competition, and project advisor Nataliia NOVINSKA – about the practical aspects of participation, including the creation of consortia and hubs.

The topic of the webinar aroused considerable interest: participants actively asked questions during the Q&A session. Summing up, Daniel GASSMANN encouraged everyone to join the competition and assured the organizers of their readiness to provide the necessary consulting support.https://univd.edu.ua/uk/news/26151