The Network IQ Alliance project ended with good results

The international project "Network IQ Alliance," which has the main goal of enabling dedicated entrepreneurial people to expand their growth opportunities using established networks in order to implement innovations better, faster, and more sustainably in the long term, has come to an end.

The last year of its operation, 2024, ended with good results: 111 students were trained, and 32 of them were also mentored. Additionally, the "Train the Trainer" activity enhanced the qualifications of 121 university teaching staff, with 42 of them utilizing in-depth mentoring. "Network IQ Alliance" engaged with five startups directly and concluded an agreement with another ten, helping them attract investments of almost 207,000 euros. By expanding the network of members and the capacity of the alliance, two new centers of excellence were created.

The Memorandum of Understanding between EKA and the global research and innovation company "Tataj Innovation" was signed in April 2024 on the creation of the "Network IQ Baltic Excellence Hub" at the EKA University of Applied Sciences (EKA). This platform of excellence will promote academic excellence, research, and entrepreneurship, and in its implementation, the university will play an important role in organizational processes and participation.

"In this project, not only the staff but also the management changed their mindset of networks and networking - how to do it targeted and how to think not so much about quantitative outcomes but more about quality of networks," emphasizes Kaspars Šteinbergs, project manager of the EKA Scientific institution.

The participants in the project will continue to work on building a strong education and business ecosystem, ensuring its continuous growth.