Consortium
The University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE), one of Germany’s youngest and largest universities, is situated in the heart of the
Ruhr metropolitan region. It offers a diverse range of disciplines: humanities, social sciences, education, economics,
engineering, natural sciences, and medicine. Since its establishment in 2003, UDE has grown into a globally recognized
research institution, as evidenced by its strong international rankings. UDE offers a wide range of services, including
interdisciplinary research in key areas such as nanosciences, biomedical sciences, urban systems, societal transformation,
and water research. Another central research focus is lifelong education and socialization processes. With innovative,
digitally supported teaching and learning approaches, UDE provides an engaging environment for research-based
education. It serves 41,740 students from over 130 nations, offering 267 degree programs, including 127 teacher training
programs. Recognized as a national model for promoting educational equity, UDE implements numerous initiatives to
support young talent and expand opportunities. The university embraces diversity and openness, fostering an inclusive
environment where students, researchers, and staff can develop their potential. Sustainability and responsible resource
management are key principles guiding its development. UDE is a strategic partner of Ruhr-Universität Bochum and
Technische Universität Dortmund, collaborating under the Universitätsallianz Ruhr (UA Ruhr). Together, they engage in joint
research and teaching efforts and maintain branch offices on three continents. Additionally, UDE has partnerships with over
100 universities worldwide.
Website: https://www.uni-due.de
Contact person: Irene-Angelica Chounta
Email: irene-angelica.chounta@uni-due.de
Aalborg University (AAU) is an international public university with campuses in Aalborg, Esbjerg, and Copenhagen,
Denmark. Founded in 1974, the university awards bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and PhD degrees in a wide variety
of subjects within humanities, social sciences, information technology, design, engineering, exact sciences, and medicine.
There are 17,700 students and 3,700 employees. According to U.S. News & World Report’s 2021 ranking, Aalborg University was ranked the eighth best university in the world and the best in Europe within mechanical engineering and in 2022, Times Higher Education Impact Rankings ranked Aalborg University as the best university in the world in Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) for the third year in a row.
Website: https://www.aau.dk/
Contact person: Jeanette Falk
Technische Universiteit Eindhoven (TU/e) is a research university specializing in engineering science & technology. Our
education, research and knowledge valorization contribute to:
Science for society: solving the major societal issues and boosting prosperity and welfare by focusing on the Strategic, Areas of Energy, Health and Smart Mobility
Science for industry: the development of technological innovation in cooperation with industry,
Science for science: progress in engineering sciences through excellence in key research cores and innovation in education
With advanced quality research, the university contributes to the progress of technical sciences and thus the development of
technological innovations. TU/e currently has more than 13000 students (25% international) and more than 4000 full-time employees (38.5%
international) including 270 full professors.
Website: www.tue.nl
Contact persons: Alexander Serebrenik and Alexander Nolte
Garage48 (G48) has been organizing hackathons, workshops, acceleration programs, bootcamps, design sprints,
conferences and other entrepreneurship-focused open innovation initiatives for 15+ years. To date, G48 has hosted 300+
events in 50 countries, listened to 4000+ pitches and seen 2000+ prototypes built. G48 events have supported the
development of startups and prototypes in the fields of agritech, food tech, edtech, circular economy, smart cities, space
tech, e-Governance, open and big data, fintech, and many others. Many of the programs have a special focus on including
women, youth and participants from the rural areas supporting the cultivation of inclusive startup ecosystems, and are
working towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
G48 prioritizes diversity and gender balance with dedicated programs designed specifically to empower female
entrepreneurs, such as the Empowering Women Entrepreneurship Programme, which initially supported women in eastern
Ukraine affected by the Donbas conflict. In 2022, as Ukraine faced a full-scale war, the program underwent a shift in focus. It
started supporting women who had sought refuge in Estonia from Ukraine due to the ongoing conflict.
G48 has also been active in contributing to the development of creative and innovative projects that do not necessarily have
a business value proposal and are harder to define by the scope and regular standards- cultural collaborations, artist’s
installations within the cities, citizen’s movements, and much more. For the year 2023, G48 was chosen as one of the
Creative Research Labs for the Creative and Cultural Industries project- CIRCE, among the other labs in London, Zurich,
Berlin and San Sebastian.
Website: www.garage48.org
Contact Person: Mari Hanikat
