Europe’s top innovators met last week in Budapest for INNOVEIT 2016, a two-day event organised by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT).

The event brought together more than 350 entrepreneurs, business representatives, academics, researchers and policy-makers. They discussed how to work together to solve societal challenges, create new, highly-skilled jobs, and boost economic growth through innovation.

Peter Olesen, Chairman of the EIT Governing Board said:

“The EIT Community provides effective support to entrepreneurs across Europe. The EIT’s innovation communities have already developed 200 innovative start-ups and more than 140 new products and services. Almost 500 students graduated from the EIT educational programmes. And that’s just the beginning. INNOVEIT is a great forum to share experience and best practices on making innovation happen.”

The EIT is an independent body of the EU set up to develop new ways to boost successful entrepreneurship and innovation.

As well as debates on innovation, demonstrations of new products and services, and presentations by leading innovators, the event featured the EIT Awards.

The Awards are an opportunity for the EIT to recognise and reward the most successful start-ups, innovative projects and young entrepreneurial talent that have emerged from the EIT Community in the past year. Some of the nominees have been featured by Forbes’ “30 under 30” list of the world’s brightest young entrepreneurs, breakout talents and change agents.

Martin Kern, the EIT Interim Director, said:

“INNOVEIT is the key moment of the year for the EIT, showcasing our work – bringing together entrepreneurs, researchers and academics from across Europe to make innovation happen. By working together, we are developing new products and services that address major global challenges such as climate change, digitalisation, sustainable energy, health and the supply of raw materials, thereby supporting economic growth and job creation and creating the future of Europe.”

Featured image courtesy of Pixabay.