EU Industry Days 2022: a hybrid conference focused on green and digital transitions

The EU Industry Days 2022 was held from 8 to 11 February as a hybrid event. Organisers reported more than 3,500 active online participants, 75 online sessions with over 300 speakers, and a virtual exhibition that showcased 42 EU-funded projects. The 2022 programme emphasised how the green and digital transition of industrial ecosystems is central to strengthening resilience for EU industries and small and medium sized enterprises.

By the numbers: participation and reach

Main themes and special focus areas

The conference concentrated on two cross-cutting transitions: decarbonisation and digitalisation of industrial ecosystems. These are treated in EU policy as complementary objectives because digital tools can accelerate energy and resource efficiency while low-carbon technologies demand new digital systems. The programme also singled out youth and tourism as special topics for 2022, reflecting the European Year of Youth and the pandemic pressure on travel and hospitality sectors.

Virtual exhibition: who stood out and what was showcased

The virtual exhibition presented projects aligned to the conference themes and the European Year of Youth. The European Innovation Council (EIC) and the European Innovation and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) were prominent contributors. According to the organisers the most visited booths were SkillLab.io, the 200 SME Challenge (Hub Innovazione Trentino) and METABUILDING. Separate engagement metrics identified Wildling Shoes and the India IP Helpdesk as the most active exhibitors in terms of scheduled meetings, signalling strong interest in circular economy solutions and SME internationalisation services.

Startup–corporate cooperation: insights from the EIC 'meet the expert' session

The European Innovation Council organised a 'meet the expert' online session about collaboration between startups and large companies. The event drew 250 participants. A live poll from attendees highlighted that building trust between partners is one of the most difficult challenges when forging these collaborations. Both startup founders and corporate representatives who spoke at the session suggested that programmes such as the EIC Accelerator and support from the European Institute of Innovation and Technology can lower barriers by providing credibility, financing and brokerage services.

Projects and prizes presented in the exhibition

The exhibition compiled a long list of projects funded under Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe, INNOSUP, COSME and other EU initiatives. Below are selected projects and prize winners that appeared in the exhibition. Each entry retains the project name and the stated goal or novelty as provided by organisers. These entries are representative rather than exhaustive.

Funded by the European Innovation Council (Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe)

EU Prizes for Women Innovators and Social Innovation winners

Selected INNOSUP and related innovation projects

Projects and programmes under COSME and the Single Market Programme

Enterprise Europe Network supported initiatives

The Enterprise Europe Network helps SMEs access international markets and partnerships. Examples profiled in the exhibition included early stage and scaling ventures across sectors.

Intellectual property and product safety services showcased

The exhibition included services aimed at helping SMEs with exports and scaling, such as the India IP Helpdesk and the European IP Helpdesk. These services offer free, first-line advice and training on IP management, protection and enforcement in key non‑EU markets and for EU-funded projects. The Consumer and Product Safety coordination mechanisms were also referenced. CASP, the Coordinated Activities on the Safety of Products, supports market surveillance cooperation across EU and EEA authorities for safer products on the single market.

What this activity means and what it does not

Large attendance numbers, well visited virtual booths and scheduled meetings are legitimate indicators of interest. They are not direct proof of successful technology transfer, market uptake or scaling. Translating visibility into commercial impact requires follow-up financing, procurement channels, pilot customers, robust IP strategies and patient scaling support. The EIC Accelerator and other programmes provide grant and some blended finance instruments, but many of the projects on display still face the typical commercialization hurdles for deep tech and circular economy innovations.

Key takeaways and implications for policy and practitioners

1) Events and virtual exhibitions help ecosystem signalling and matchmaking but need systematic impact tracking. Organisers and funders should publish follow‑up metrics such as partnership agreements signed, pilots launched and revenue attributable to programme support. 2) Startup–corporate cooperation is constrained by trust and transaction costs. Public programmes can reduce barriers but cannot substitute commercial diligence and fit. 3) SME support needs to be integrated: IP, standards, access to investors and internationalisation services should be coordinated to avoid fragmentation. 4) The green and digital transitions involve deep system changes that require more than isolated technological demos. They require skills programmes, regulatory clarity, standards and procurement to create lead markets. 5) Finally, the diversity of funding instruments shown at the exhibition underlines the EU’s multi‑programme approach but also raises questions about simplification and the ability of SMEs to navigate the landscape efficiently.

EU Industry Days 2022 showcased a wide cross-section of projects and services that reflect the Commission's priorities for an industrial transition that is greener and more digital. The event performed the expected role as a visibility and matchmaking forum. The longer term value of the initiatives on display will depend on measurable follow-up and the capacity of the European innovation ecosystem to convert interest into durable commercial scaling for SMEs.