Last September 23, 2025 HealthChain co-organised a joint event with two healthcare I3-funded projects — InShape and DIGIT-PRE. Hosted by the Region Skane Office in Brussels, we shared common lessons and policy insights aimed at creating a healthier and more resilient Europe. The event attracted the participation of EISMEA officers responsible for implementing the I3 instrument, DG Regio, regional authorities, and key players in interregional collaboration, such as the VANGUARD Initiative.
Showcasing Regional Transformation and Innovation Impact
The event highlighted how these projects have been instrumental in driving regional transformation by supporting SMEs, leveraging Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3). These projects have collectively demonstrated how combining complementary parts of the healthcare value chain and leveraging interregional collaboration can amplify the impact of regional innovation ecosystems. Participants gained concrete examples of the tangible impacts achieved on the ground through these collaborative innovation efforts.
Conclusions and Insights from the Event
One of the key insights shared was the importance of creating real opportunities for SMEs beyond just funding, focusing on grant support, market access, and commercialisation rather than investment alone. SMEs expressed a strong preference for practical support that helps them secure first customer references and scale regionally and internationally.
The event also highlighted the shift from a traditional “healthcare” mindset to a “care for health” approach, emphasising the need to put the focus on prevention of conditions that add pressure to the healthcare systems.
In addition, the importance of boosting Europe’s health resilience through demand-driven innovation that responds to end-user needs was highlighted. This approach requires organisational culture changes and the establishment of ecosystems to identify challenges and co-create solutions with healthcare organisations and patients.
Operational achievements were showcased, such as HealthChain’s co-creation of 24 digital health solutions addressing real healthcare challenges across 10 regions, DIGIT-PRE’s interregional matchmaking and innovation support programs, and InShape’s network of innovation hubs that support SMEs in sports and vitality sectors. These initiatives exemplified how Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3) are put into action to enhance regional competitiveness.
Participants agreed on recommendations for strengthening the I3 instrument, including scaling up successful ventures, preventing the “valley of death” for early-stage innovations, and offering multi-stage funding tailored to SMEs’ commercialization pathways. The event also moved the conversation forward regarding the establishment of joint platforms and Thematic Smart Specialisation Partnerships (TSSPs) to sustain and build upon the projects’ shared mission.
In conclusion, the event reinforced the critical role of collaboration, demand-driven innovation, and targeted ecosystem support in driving lasting impact and health innovation across Europe. The discussions laid a solid foundation for continued interregional cooperation, strategic policy shaping, and fostering a resilient, innovation-driven health ecosystem.
Disclaimer: HealthChain project is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
