Driving Europe’s Green and Digital Transformation
GreenTech4Transformation (GT4T) is a European collaboration that brings together universities, innovators, and businesses to support sustainable and digital transformation. Our mission is to turn ideas and knowledge into practical solutions that contribute to a more sustainable, inclusive and future-ready Europe.
Who We Are
GT4T brings together a diverse European consortium of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), innovation hubs, and industry partners from Finland, Germany, Ireland, Türkiye, and the Netherlands.
Our partnership combines academic excellence with real-world innovation experience. Universities work side by side with startup enablers, industry actors, and regional organizations to design learning models, build venture support structures, and accelerate deep-tech innovation.
The consortium includes eight full partners and ten associated partners, representing a wide range of expertise, from applied research and entrepreneurship education to commercialization, policy engagement, and ecosystem development. This diversity allows GT4T to connect local strengths with European collaboration, ensuring solutions are scalable, inclusive, and impact-driven.
The consortium includes eight full partners and ten associated partners, representing a wide range of expertise, from applied research and entrepreneurship education to commercialization, policy engagement, and ecosystem development. This diversity allows GT4T to connect local strengths with European collaboration, ensuring solutions are scalable, inclusive, and impact-driven.
The consortium includes eight full partners and ten associated partners, representing a wide range of expertise, from applied research and entrepreneurship education to commercialization, policy engagement, and ecosystem development. This diversity allows GT4T to connect local strengths with European collaboration, ensuring solutions are scalable, inclusive, and impact-driven.
GT4T is co-funded by the EIT Higher Education Initiative (Climate-KIC), part of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, supporting universities in becoming active drivers of Europe’s green and digital transformation.
Our Mission
GT4T empowers people and institutions to turn sustainability and innovation into measurable impact across Europe.
Lead the Green Transition through circular economy practices, clean energy solutions, and sustainable system design.
Strengthen Innovation Capacity within universities and regional ecosystems by building long-term structures and skills.
Support Startups and Spin-offs by helping research- and student-driven ideas evolve into market-ready solutions.
Foster Cross-Border Collaboration between academia, business, policymakers, and innovation networks.
Equip Students and Staff with entrepreneurial, digital, and future-ready competences.
By 2027, GT4T aims to deliver tangible outcomes, including the creation of 30 start-ups, 60 strategic collaboration agreements, three market-ready deep-tech solutions, and training opportunities for over 1,000 participants across Europe.
Our Approach
We don’t just talk about innovation, we make it happen.
Through challenge-based learning, Venture Science Labs, and tailored training programmes, GT4T transforms academic potential into entrepreneurial action and real-world experimentation.
Our work is structured around nine strategic work packages, integrating education, incubation, commercialization, and ecosystem-building. This coordinated approach ensures that learning, innovation, and impact reinforce each other across all partner institutions.
Every activity, from a student competition in Finland to a startup workshop in Türkiye, contributes to a shared European framework that connects local initiatives to broader green and digital goals.
Our Vision
A Europe where education, innovation, and entrepreneurship work hand in hand, where universities act as engines of sustainable growth, and where every idea has the opportunity to evolve into a real-world solution with lasting impact.
Our Core Values
Collaboration
We believe progress happens through partnerships.
Sustainability
Every solution must serve people and the planet.
Innovation
We experiment, prototype, and evolve constantly.
Empowerment
We give students, researchers, and founders the tools to act.
Impact
Measurable change is at the heart of everything we do.
Timeline
Explore our story from the first launch to upcoming events that keep the momentum growing.
2025 — Building the Foundation
June 2025 – Official Project Launch (Pori, Finland)
The GT4T journey begins! Partners from five countries meet in Finland for a two-day kick-off, setting shared goals for sustainable innovation and collaboration.
October 2025 – Startup Sparkle (Pori)
Two days of workshops, keynotes, and networking for local founders and aspiring entrepreneurs; featuring voices from FiBAN, Commu App, and the City of Pori.
October 2025 – Entrepreneurship & Design Thinking Training (Online)
Hands-on session by GT4T partners teaching rapid prototyping and design thinking for higher education staff and innovators across Europe.
November 2025 – SmartAging Hackathon (Finland, Germany, Sweden, Poland)
An international challenge to design human-centered, tech-powered solutions for the aging population; co-funded by EIT and Interreg.
December 2025 – Grand Opening of the Venture Science Centre (Pori Campus)
Launch of SAMK’s innovation hub, combining technology, creativity, and entrepreneurship. Prototype Club Kick-off & SAMK Can Venture Competition (students design and launch soda-can satellites).
2026 — Scaling Impact
Spring 2026 – Official VSC Launch Event
Celebrating SAMK’s new Venture Science Centre and showcasing first student-built prototypes.
Summer 2026 – Challenge-Based Learning Week (Germany–Türkiye)
Intercultural teams from Rosenheim University and Beykent University solve real startup challenges in education, gaming, and sustainability.
Autumn 2026 – Mastermind Programme (Europe-wide)
Startups from across GT4T’s partner countries join a peer-learning and expert mentoring programme on growth, funding, and go-to-market strategy.
Late 2026 – Startups & Downs Afterwork Series (Finland)
Candid, inspiring sessions where founders share real lessons from failure to success.
Coming Up
New GT4T Training Cohorts 2026–2027 – Hands-on online workshops for researchers and HEI staff.
GT4T Partner Events – Local innovation meetups and regional startup showcases.
Venture Science Club Competitions – More opportunities for students to build, test, and launch prototypes.
GT4T Impact Showcase 2027 – Presenting results, startups, and partnerships from across Europe.
Explore Our Calendar
Stay up to date with all GT4T activities — from workshops and webinars to partner events across Europe.
Challenges
Driving Europe’s Green and Digital Transformation
Across Europe, higher education institutions hold the knowledge, research capacity, and talent needed to lead the green and digital transition. Yet too often, this potential remains underutilised due to limited tools, fragmented ecosystems, and a lack of clear pathways from ideas to impact.
GT4T bridges gap between knowledge and action
Our mission is to empower universities, researchers, and innovators to tackle real-world challenges through sustainable, deep-tech, and scalable solutions that deliver measurable benefits for society, the economy, and the environment.
The Sustainability Gap
Challenge
Climate change, resource scarcity, and growing waste streams continue to place unprecedented pressure on natural systems. Many industries and value chains still operate in linear, high-emission models that are no longer viable in the long term.
GT4T’s Response:
GT4T promotes circular economy innovation by helping universities and innovators transform research into practical, scalable solutions. Through applied projects, entrepreneurial training, and industry collaboration, we support cleaner production models, sustainable materials, and responsible resource use that contribute to Europe’s climate and environmental goals.
The Digital Divide
Challenge
Digital transformation is reshaping industries, services, and education, but not all regions, institutions, or learners have equal access to digital skills, infrastructure, or innovation capacity. This gap risks deepening inequalities across Europe.
GT4T’s Response:
GT4T strengthens digital innovation capacity within higher education, supporting the adoption of technologies such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, automation, and smart manufacturing. By embedding digital skills into education and innovation pathways, we help prepare Europe’s current and future workforce for a rapidly evolving digital economy.
The Innovation Bottleneck
Challenge
Digital transformation is reshaping industries, services, and education, but not all regions, institutions, or learners have equal access to digital skills, infrastructure, or innovation capacity. This gap risks deepening inequalities across Europe.
GT4T’s Response:
GT4T strengthens digital innovation capacity within higher education, supporting the adoption of technologies such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, automation, and smart manufacturing. By embedding digital skills into education and innovation pathways, we help prepare Europe’s current and future workforce for a rapidly evolving digital economy.
The Inclusivity Challenge
Challenge
Innovation must be inclusive to be sustainable. However, access to innovation programmes, entrepreneurial training, and support structures is often uneven, particularly for young talents and experienced professionals.
GT4T’s Response:
GT4T designs inclusive training and participation pathways for both emerging innovators (ages 17–25) and experienced professionals (55+). By valuing diverse perspectives and cross-generational collaboration, we ensure that Europe’s green and digital transformation is shaped by a broad and representative community.
Partners
United for a Greener, Smarter Europe
GT4T brings together leading universities, innovation hubs, startups, and regional organizations across Europe; all committed to advancing sustainability, digital transformation, and deep tech innovation. Together, we form a powerful network that connects education, research, and industry to shape the future of Europe’s green and digital economy.
Full Partners
Our full partners are the driving force behind GT4T. They lead research, education, and entrepreneurship initiatives that turn knowledge into impact across Europe.
Lead Partner
Satakunnan ammattikorkeakoulu
Finland
Empowering higher education and regional innovation through technology, sustainability, and entrepreneurship.
Beykent University
Türkiye
A dynamic university fostering interdisciplinary research, digital innovation, and international collaboration. Beykent University contributes as a strategic partner to the GT4T project via its strong substructure highlighting technology-focused education and network of research-innovation centers.
Dublin Business Innovation Centre (Furthr)
Ireland
Ireland’s cornerstone for entrepreneurship, investment readiness, and startup growth.
Griffith College
Ireland
A leading independent institution driving sustainability, digital learning, and cross-border cooperation.
Ikigaia Oy
Finland
A strategic innovation and commercialization expert turning science-driven ideas into scalable and sustainable ventures.Through strategic guidance and hands-on commercialization support, Ikigaia helps EU-funded deep-tech innovations move from concept to real-world impact.
Technische Hochschule Rosenheim
Germany
A university leading applied research and industry partnerships in engineering, design, and sustainability.
Wild Campus GmbH
Germany
An innovation hub creating programs and accelerators that foster entrepreneurship and social impact.
Windesheim University of Applied Sciences
Netherlands
A top Dutch institution known for sustainability-driven education and strong ties with industry.
Collaboration Is Our Strength
Each GT4T partner contributes unique expertise; from deep-tech research to entrepreneurship, policy, and sustainability. Together, we’re creating an ecosystem where ideas grow into impactful European innovations.
