Empowering European SMEs Through Cross-Border Innovation
In today’s interconnected world, innovation is no longer a local effort — it thrives on collaboration across regions and borders. At the Institute of Entrepreneurship Development (iED), we believe that cooperation is key to empowering regional economies to grow sustainably and smartly. This belief fuels our active involvement in STARRISE — a European project designed to help businesses innovate beyond borders.
Funded by the Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument – Strand 2b, the STARRISE project strengthens interregional value chains and accelerates innovation uptake among SMEs and organizations across Europe. The project brings together a consortium of 7 partners from 7 European regions, including business clusters, support organizations, research bodies, and regional stakeholders.
Why STARRISE Matters for European Innovation
STARRISE responds to one of Europe’s most pressing challenges: ensuring that SMEs — especially in less-connected or less-developed regions — can access the partnerships, expertise, and resources needed to turn innovative ideas into impactful solutions.
What STARRISE Offers
Operating at the intersection of smart specialisation strategies (S3) and interregional collaboration, STARRISE supports SMEs in developing cross-border innovation projects in key sectors, such as:
-
Digital Transformation
-
Advanced Manufacturing
-
Green and Sustainable Technologies
-
Circular Economy & Resource Efficiency
By connecting innovation ecosystems across Europe, STARRISE helps businesses:
-
Find strategic partners in other regions
-
Co-design innovation roadmaps
-
Unlock co-investment opportunities for growth
Capacity Building for Long-Term Impact
STARRISE also delivers a comprehensive training programme, tailored to the practical needs of entrepreneurs and innovation support organizations. Training topics include:
-
Innovation readiness and investment preparedness
-
Digitalization and Industry 4.0
-
Financial instruments for business growth
-
Sustainability and the green transition
-
Cross-border matchmaking and partnership development
Thessaly: A Regional Hub for Innovation and Cooperation
Regions like Thessaly benefit greatly from initiatives that foster interregional collaboration, funding opportunities, and knowledge exchange. Thessaly’s unique combination of traditional industries and emerging innovation fields — from agri-food and circular economy to digital services and industrial technologies — positions it as a rising player in Europe’s innovation landscape.
Through STARRISE, Thessaly’s businesses gain access to European networks, co-creation opportunities, and cross-border markets, strengthening their competitiveness and fostering sustainable growth aligned with the European Green Deal and digital transformation goals.
Delivering Local Benefits with a European Perspective
STARRISE is already making a difference:
-
Local SMEs are accessing European networks and joint project opportunities.
-
Stakeholders are becoming more aware of EU funding instruments and S3 platforms.
-
Entrepreneurs are enhancing their cross-border market strategies and investment readiness.
-
Regional innovation ecosystems are becoming more connected, outward-looking, and resilient.
At the same time, the project helps Thessaly showcase its strengths — from agri-food innovation to digital services — on a European scale.
Conclusion: Collaboration Fuels Innovation
STARRISE proves that innovation thrives through collaboration. It’s not just about technology — it’s about connecting people, regions, and ecosystems with a shared vision for a smarter, greener, and more connected Europe.
At iED, this project perfectly aligns with our mission: helping ideas grow and thrive by building bridges between entrepreneurship, research, and policy. As STARRISE moves towards its final implementation phase, we remain committed to supporting SMEs in turning their ideas into scalable solutions and making Thessaly a vital node in the European innovation network.
Project Name: STARRISE – Bridging the Gap Between Regional S3 Strategies and Interregional Innovation Investment in Agrofood and Logistics Value Chains Through Capacity Building Across Continental Europe and Outermost Regions
Programme: Interregional Innovation Investment (I3) Instrument – Strand 2b
Website: https://starriseproject.eu/
