InnoNext in action: how an EU-funded internships platform is evolving into an innovation ecosystem
- ›InnoNext, an EIC Business Acceleration Services initiative, has grown from a matching tool into a broader ecosystem for innovation internships and collaboration.
- ›More than 890 talents and companies have registered so far, and the platform covers 28 innovation fields and over 300 competences.
- ›InnoNext connects beneficiaries from multiple EU programmes including EIC, EIT, ERC, MSCA and Research Infrastructures to promote cross-programme collaboration.
- ›The initiative offers fully funded innovation internships, matchmaking, mentoring and financial support, but some elements remain underspecified and EIT Talents internship activations are currently paused.
InnoNext: from matchmaking to a live map of Europe’s innovation needs
Launched by the EIC Business Acceleration Services, the InnoNext initiative set out to connect researchers and start-ups through EU-funded innovation internships. A year after launch the service reports steady user growth and says it now functions as a 'vibrant space' where talents and companies identify trends, test ideas and form collaborations. The platform aims to open pathways between research and business across multiple EU programmes.
Scale and scope: what the platform currently offers
InnoNext reports that more than 890 talents and companies have registered to date and that new users join every week. The platform organises activity around 28 innovation fields and more than 300 competences. It is positioned as a matchmaking and incubation channel for fully funded "innovation internships" that pair researchers and innovators with start-ups and SMEs to accelerate technology translation and market entry.
Who participates and how eligibility is organised
InnoNext targets two main groups. Visiting talents are researchers and innovators working at the frontiers of scientific and deep tech research and development. Hosting companies are typically innovative start-ups and SMEs that want access to research-driven skills to shape product development and strategy. The initiative draws explicitly on participants from multiple EU programmes to expand its talent pool.
| Programme or category | Eligible participants | Notes from the platform |
| EIC | EIC Talents including Pathfinder PhD candidates, postdocs and Transition researchers | Core target group for InnoNext |
| EIT | EIT Talents, EIT Label Masters and Doctoral students, EIT Alumni | Funding for new EIT Talents internships has been fully allocated and new activations are temporarily paused |
| ERC | PhD and postdoctoral researchers participating in ERC-funded projects | Included among visiting talents |
| MSCA | Fellows in Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions including Postdoctoral Fellowships and Doctoral Networks | Included among visiting talents |
| Research Infrastructures (RI) | PhD and postdoctoral researchers participating in RI projects | Included among visiting talents |
Structure and features designed for innovation-first collaboration
The platform is organised by strategic domains and innovation areas to make it easier for users to search by sector, identify shared challenges and locate external expertise. The stated goal is to facilitate multidisciplinary input into start-ups and SMEs while giving researchers practical settings to validate and scale their work. Built features include vacancy creation guides, financial agreements templates, mentoring and best practice guidelines aimed at reducing administrative friction for hosts and visiting talents.
Cross-programme connections and potential value
A notable feature is the platform's effort to bridge multiple European research and innovation programmes. By including participants from EIT, ERC, MSCA and Research Infrastructures alongside EIC beneficiaries, InnoNext aims to spur cross-pollination. The platform is positioned as more than a tool for individual matches. It is presented as a living map of emerging talent, competences and needs across the EU innovation ecosystem.
Early outcomes, user feedback and success stories
The platform publishes multiple testimonials from visiting talents and hosting companies. Examples highlight faster onboarding and alignment between candidate profiles and company needs. Users describe swift matching, clear process guidance and responsive platform teams. The site positions these as evidence that the system works to bridge academic research and commercial development.
Points to watch and remaining questions
The platform shows promise but several questions remain about impact, sustainability and operational detail. Reported registration numbers and field coverage are useful indicators but the published material does not yet present independent outcome metrics. There is limited public data on the number of internships completed, measurable follow-on projects, job creation, licensing or revenue outcomes. The pause on EIT Talents funding highlights that resourcing pressures can affect availability for specific participant groups.
How to engage and where to find more information
Prospective visiting talents and hosting companies can sign up on the InnoNext platform and consult a set of guides and model documents for agreements and funding. The programme hosts recorded info sessions intended to guide applicants. For operational queries the contact email on the platform is info@innonext-project.eu and the public website is www.innonext-project.eu. The EIC Business Acceleration Services newsletter is another channel for updates and open calls.
Closing assessment
InnoNext has evolved beyond a simple matching tool and is positioning itself as an ecosystem node that links talent from multiple EU programmes with start-ups and SMEs. The initiative aligns with broader EIC Business Acceleration Services goals of translating research into market impact. The platform's growth and the diversity of participating programmes are positive indicators. At the same time the publicly available information does not yet provide the full set of outcome metrics that would allow independent evaluation of impact. Observers should watch for transparent reporting on internship completions, follow-on funding and concrete commercial or research outputs.