CIC nanoGUNE joins the ELIgnite consortium to accelerate deep-tech innovation in Europe

The project will establish a pan-European deep-tech acceleration model anchored in the Extreme Light Infrastructure with unique high-power laser and laser-driven particle and photon sources. The Extreme Light Infrastructure ERIC (ELI ERIC) is one of the European Research Infrastructure Consortium, ERIC, a specific legal form that facilitates the establishment and operation of world-class Research Infrastructures Infrastructures in Europe.

The project’s kickoff meeting celebrated in Czech Republic, at the Extreme Light Infrastructure ERIC (ELI ERIC) on 19–20 October launches the 4-year EU-funded project that connects Europe's most powerful lasers with the next generation of deep-tech ventures. “It is important to emphasise the direction in which nanoGUNE is moving in terms of making use of Europe's  world-class research infrastructure. Additionally, it is one of the few centers in the Basque Country involved with an ERIC in some capacity”, points out Ainara Garcia, Technology Transfer Director at nanoGUNE.

ELIgnite brings together a diverse consortium with partners like INAM - Innovation Network for Advanced Materials, European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA), Commercialization Reactor, Technologické centrum Praha and associated partners from across Europe including: CIC nanoGUNE, ENEA, MECASYS s.r.o. , Center for Physical Sciences and Technology (FTMC), Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, IP Lab Ventures, ELI Impact Lab, or Politecnico di Milano.

By connecting startups and deep-tech companies with research infrastructure, knowledge transfer, experimentation and data, ELIgnite aims to strengthen links across the innovation ecosystem and help promising technologies progress towards validated applications