On 18 December, the Inno2mare project hosted an Innovation Breakfast focused on best practices in knowledge valorisation, bringing together project partners, innovation stakeholders, and members of the maritime ecosystem. The event provided a valuable platform for exchanging experiences, learning from established models, and exploring opportunities to strengthen collaboration between academia and industry.
The Innovation Breakfast opened with a welcome and introduction by an Inno2mare representative, who outlined the objectives of the meeting and emphasised the importance of effective valorisation mechanisms in transforming research results into real-world impact, particularly within the maritime and blue economy sectors.
University of Antwerp: Best Practices in Knowledge Valorisation
The central presentation of the event was delivered by Bram Verbinnen, Head of the Valorisation Office at the University of Antwerp. In his talk, Bram shared insights into the University of Antwerp’s structured and mature approach to knowledge valorisation, highlighting the strategic role of the Valorisation Office as the university’s technology transfer hub.
Key topics included the creation of spin-offs and licensing activities, the importance of physical innovation hubs in enabling close collaboration between academia and industry, and recent developments within the maritime ecosystem. Bram illustrated how tailored support for researchers—ranging from funding and partner identification to intellectual property protection—can successfully bring innovative ideas to market through licensing agreements or the establishment of spin-off companies.
The presentation offered concrete examples of how a well-organised valorisation framework can foster innovation, accelerate technology uptake, and strengthen regional and sectoral ecosystems.
Interactive Discussion and Exchange of Ideas
Following the presentation, participants engaged in an interactive discussion and Q&A session, exploring how the Antwerp valorisation model could be adapted and applied within the Inno2mare context. The discussion focused on identifying opportunities for collaboration, strengthening regional innovation ecosystems, and enhancing links between research, industry, and public authorities across the project partnership.
The exchange of perspectives underlined the relevance of knowledge valorisation as a cross-cutting theme within Inno2mare and highlighted the potential for future joint initiatives inspired by the University of Antwerp’s approach.
Closing Remarks and Next Steps
The Innovation Breakfast concluded with closing remarks and a discussion on next steps, including possible follow-up actions and avenues for continued collaboration. Participants agreed on the value of maintaining dialogue on valorisation practices and further exploring concrete opportunities for cooperation within the Inno2mare framework.
You can find INNO2MARE Innovation Breakfast video