The challenge of collaboration between academics and industry: launch of the BEAGLE project

The BEAGLE ("Blue ocEans strAteGy for vaLue crEation") project, which brings together 9 European partners including NextMove, began on January 1, 2024 and will run for 3 years.

BEAGLE proposes an innovative methodology for creating value from research results by applying the Blue Ocean Strategy. It explores new market niches by fostering sustainable value chains in untapped markets, while promoting synergies and disruptive innovations.

This objective will be achieved by theBEAGLE consortium composed of 3 universities: Universitat Rovira y Virgili - coordinator (Spain), University of West Bohemia (Czech Republic) and University West (Sweden), a research center : Centro Tecnológico de Automoción de Galicia (Spain), one innovating communities’ manager: F6S Network Ireland Limited (Ireland), and 4 industry clusters: Association of Chemical Industry of the Czech Republic (Czech Republic), UNIMOS Alliance (Poland), CleanTech Bulgaria (Bulgaria), and NextMove.

The project will be implemented thanks to the active participation of 240 professionals from 7 European countries, both innovators (from industry) and researchers (from universities and technology centers), and through an open ad hoc call for applications.

Multiple disciplines, sectors and geographical areas are called upon to connect and interact in this Academia-Industry BEAGLE community (mainly those of participating entities).

Project objectives include:

• Improving productivity and efficiency in the valorization of knowledge and the creation of value in Academia-Industry links;
• Implement the Blue Ocean Strategy for the creation of innovative markets in the knowledge transfer market;
• Focus on strengthening collaboration between different countries and sectors.

By the end of the project, the aim is to discover 20 new market niches, the blue oceans, and create 20 innovation proposals with specific roadmaps.

This objective will be achieved through the following activities:

• Mapping of best practices in knowledge networks and thematic niches.
• Creation of Mixed Teams made up of experts appointed by the partners, to address the 12 selected niche markets.
• Setting up two Open Calls aimed at involving researchers from partner universities and industry creators and innovators from partner clusters. These calls will aim to identify opportunities on the demand side from industry, and understand the supply side from academics/researchers.
• In line with the identification of industrial demand and academic supply, contact will be made with players in these two categories to produce video factsheets.
• Promoting links between academics and industry through bilateral meetings.
• Assessment and support in defining the appropriate formula for an agreement on R&I actions, while guaranteeing the interests of both parties.

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To find out more about BEAGLE and the activities planned as part of the project, contact the NextMove team!