Algebra Lab is making great strides in the second pilot phase of the InnORBIT project, which started on January 1st 2020 and will be ending on June 30, 2023. InnORBIT is funded under Horizon 2020’s “Sustainable initiatives for accelerating the commercialization of space innovation”, and to this end is set on empowering innovation intermediaries (clusters, digital innovation hubs, SME associations, etc.) to set up and run sustainable local space initiatives. By the end of the project, InnORBIT aims to establish at least 20 sustainable and effective space initiatives to support 50 start-ups and scale-ups to grow and commercialize their space solutions.
Algebra Lab has been tirelessly working to pilot online space cafes and to build a sustainable business model for the university in order to support space innovation while building a thriving space hub within the Croatian innovation ecosystem. In the 1st pilot round, Algebra Lab worked alongside the other two innovation intermediaries in Greece and Romania to “train the trainers”, which included members of the team completing courses available on the InnORBIT Digital Toolbox platform, which has space related e-courses for innovation centers, along with courses and self-assessment tools for start-ups, scale-ups, SMEs and entrepreneurs to evaluate their business support needs so as to implement space concepts in their business plans.
We have also contributed in the 1st pilot round with promising local Croatian start-ups and scale-ups to participate both in our space cafes and to consider the business support offerings by InnORBIT, which offers well-trained experts to assess their personal needs and customize services to catalyze their growth. Our Algebra based Croatian Space Café business model has already been validated by 10 local stakeholders and preparations are about to start for the business planning phase.
On the 26th of January 2023, we attended the 5th project meeting of InnORBIT, organized and hosted by the ROMSPACE team in Bucharest, Romania, where we discussed and assessed the progress of InnORBIT, and planned the next meeting and dissemination event, most likely to be held in Slovenia.
In the 2nd pilot round, we are continuing our local space initiatives for supporting space innovation. We are currently hosting our 10th consecutive online space cafe, while also launching our Space Design Sprint, which is currently mentoring Algebra students to map out a solution to a problem that can be assisted with space technology, and which will be validated in front of a panel of judges. We are currently in the process of selecting the challenges to participants, evaluating a mechanism for the assessment of solutions, and confirming when presentations will be held, which will be completed by May.
In addition, Algebra will be participating in the Knowledge Exchange Event, to take place on the 28th of March 2023, where Algebra’s contributions to InnORBIT will be presented to a network of space related stakeholders.
Finally, Algebra has complemented its participation in the InnORBIT project by becoming a member of the Copernicus Academy, which currently has 201 members, and is part of the European Commission’s Space Strategy for Europe. Membership in the Academy will link Algebra with authorities & service providers, facilitate collaborative research and develop lectures, assist with training sessions, and provide training material using the enormous data that the Copernicus space network provides while providing expert assistance with using Copernicus data and information services to their full potential. In this way, Algebra is continuing its ambitions in supporting new tools, participating in EU wide knowledge exchange and collaboration, as it builds a sustainable Croatian space hub for the future.
We are thrilled to be part of the InnORBIT project and the great strides we have made in establishing a thriving and growing space hub at Algebra! For more information on the InnORBIT project, visit https://innorbit.eu/about