Celebrating 10 Years of Innovation Across Europe
The year 2024 marked 10 years of the EIT Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS) – a full decade of helping close Europe’s innovation gap.
The latest RIS Activity Report shows how this important programme from the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) helps people and regions grow their innovation power. It supports countries that are still building their skills and technology to catch up with Europe’s best performers.
A Decade of Impact
Since it began in 2014, the EIT RIS has grown into one of Horizon Europe’s most successful programmes. Its goal is simple: make sure that great ideas and talent can shine anywhere in Europe.
The results after ten years are impressive:
- 324,000 people trained through EIT education programmes.
- 6,500 ventures created or supported.
- €1.33 billion in EIT grants for RIS regions.
- €3.23 billion in investment raised by start-ups supported by EIT’s Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs).
In 2024 alone, ventures in the EIT RIS area attracted over €216 million in investment. More than 105,000 participants joined EIT education and training to learn new entrepreneurial and innovation skills.
Highlights from 2024
Across RIS-eligible countries, the EIT Community:
- Supported 1,231 start-ups.
- Helped launch 219 new products and services.
- Trained over 105,000 participants.
These numbers show that the programme continues to drive growth, build resilience, and spark new ideas.
EIT RIS is also growing. It now supports innovators in Ukraine, Turkey, the Western Balkans, and the EU’s Outermost Regions. Programmes like EIT Jumpstarter, EIT Red Kalyna, and EIT InfraBooster are helping people gain the skills, tools, and networks they need to succeed.
Words from the Director
“For ten years now, the EIT Regional Innovation Scheme has helped to overcome the innovation divide across Europe,” said Martin Kern, Director of the EIT.
“What began as an effort to make EIT activities open to all regions is now a strong engine of entrepreneurship and skills. The results speak for themselves – successful start-ups, skilled people, and connected innovation networks across Europe. In the years ahead, we will keep growing this success so even more talents and ideas can turn into real innovations.”
Martin Kern, Director of the EIT
Looking Ahead
As the EIT RIS moves into its second decade, new tools are being prepared to make an even bigger impact.
A network of EIT Community Hubs will serve as local centres for innovators – easy places to access EIT support and opportunities. A new pilot, the EIT Regional Innovation Booster, will offer long-term help for early-stage ventures so they can grow into the scale-ups of tomorrow.
Innovation is key for Europe’s green and digital future. The 2024 RIS Report shows how the EIT and its Knowledge and Innovation Communities are helping emerging regions thrive and shape a better future for all.
