The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) has officially opened a new EIT Community Hub in Košice, Slovakia, aiming to strengthen the country’s innovation potential and connect local talent with Europe’s largest innovation ecosystem
The launch event, held at Kulturpark in Košice, gathered public officials, business leaders, startups, and innovation experts to mark the occasion.
This new EIT Community Hub is a massive step in bringing European innovation opportunities closer to entrepreneurs, researchers, students, and businesses across Slovakia. It is designed to act as a one-stop shop where local stakeholders can access EIT programmes, connect with partners, and participate in activities that span education, business creation, and research.
A platform for innovation and collaboration
The EIT Community Hub in Slovakia will provide direct access to the EIT’s wide range of initiatives, including skills development, startup support, and funding opportunities. As part of the EIT’s mission to bridge the innovation gap across Europe, the hub is expected to foster local collaboration and serve as a launchpad for Slovak innovators seeking to scale their ideas.
It will act as a platform for matchmaking and networking, helping local startups and researchers form partnerships with EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs). These communities bring together key players from business, academia, and research to drive breakthrough innovations in areas such as climate change, digital technology, health, manufacturing, food, and energy.
Supporting Slovakia’s innovation potential
The launch of the Slovak EIT Community Hub is part of the EIT Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS), which focuses on supporting regions with untapped innovation capacity. This programme aims to ensure that all parts of Europe, including Central, Eastern, and Southern provinces, can actively contribute to and benefit from Europe’s innovation-led growth.
Slovakia has already shown promising results under the EIT’s support. Between 2021 and 2024, the country received €8.7 million in funding, which enabled the backing of 78 ventures, involving over 7,600 participants in training activities, and supported the launch of 11 innovations. The new hub is expected to build on this progress by offering more structured support and enhancing engagement with national stakeholders.
Part of a growing European network
The opening of the EIT Community Hub in Košice is part of a broader EIT strategy to expand its presence across the continent. Similar hubs are being launched in over 20 countries, aiming to bring the benefits of innovation closer to regional ecosystems.
With over 2,400 partners and more than 70 hubs, the EIT Community is one of the largest innovation networks in Europe. It has supported over 9,900 ventures and helped bring more than 2,450 new products and services to market. Through these efforts, the EIT continues to foster entrepreneurship, support knowledge transfer, and promote sustainable economic development across Europe.
By opening a physical presence in Slovakia, the EIT is helping to unlock the country’s innovation potential and strengthen its role within the broader European innovation landscape. The new hub is expected to foster deeper engagement between Slovak institutions and the broader EIT network, facilitating greater access to European resources, talent, and markets.
