Our Partners
Istanbul Kültür University (IKU), established in 1997 by the Kültür Educational Foundation (KEV), is a leading private higher education institution in Turkey. Operating across four campuses with a total area of 127,966 m², IKU offers a comprehensive range of programs through its faculties of Engineering, Architecture, Arts and Design, Science and Letters, Economics and Administrative Sciences, Education, and Health Sciences.
IKU is strongly committed to internationalization and actively participates in exchange and mobility programs such as Erasmus+, enhancing global cooperation and cross-cultural learning. The university combines high-quality education with research and innovation activities, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration between academia, industry, and society.
As the coordinator of the ELICIA project, IKU leverages its expertise in AI, entrepreneurship, and creative industries to lead the consortium effectively. The university’s established Creative Innovation Labs will act as pilot hubs for interdisciplinary collaboration, enabling students, faculty, and industry partners to co-create innovative solutions for real-world challenges. IKU provides extensive facilities, a strong academic network, and robust industry connections to support the establishment of labs, co-curriculum development, and capacity-building workshops. By integrating education, research, and industry through applied research and active collaboration with startups, IKU ensures that project activities are aligned with market needs and deliver sustainable impact.
IKU’s proven experience in managing EU-funded projects, including initiatives under the EIT HEI Initiative and EIT Urban Mobility, guarantees effective consortium coordination, timely achievement of project milestones, and the long-term sustainability of results.
Istanbul Kültür University (IKU)
Turkey (Coordinator)
LUT University, ranked among the top 300 universities globally in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, is a leading Finnish institution renowned for its strong focus on sustainability, entrepreneurship, and innovation. The university offers flagship programs such as the Master of International Business and Entrepreneurship and the Global Management of Innovation and Technology, preparing graduates to address complex global challenges. LUT maintains a robust network of industry collaborations and fosters an entrepreneurial ecosystem that supports technology transfer and startup creation.
As a core partner in the ELICIA project, LUT offers its globally recognized expertise in technology, leveraging its strengths in AI, entrepreneurship, and business innovation. It plays a key role in co-curriculum development, supports the design of interdisciplinary modules integrating creativity and AI, and provides mentorship for students and faculty participating in the project.
LUT contributes significant resources to the consortium through its dedicated entrepreneurship department, LUTStorming, and provides access to its flagship entrepreneurship and innovation programs. These resources ensure high-quality capacity building and direct exposure to international best practices in entrepreneurial education.
By actively connecting research, education, and industry, LUT exemplifies the Knowledge Triangle in action. Its strong industry ties bridge the gap between academic innovation and practical application, ensuring that solutions developed under ELICIA are market-driven and scalable. LUT’s leadership in sustainability and innovation guarantees that the project’s results will have a long-lasting impact across Europe, supporting the creation of resilient and future-ready innovation ecosystems.
LUT University
Finland
The National University of Theatre and Film "I.L. Caragiale" (UNATC), located in Bucharest, is Romania’s leading higher education institution for performing arts, film, and multimedia. With a rich tradition in theatre and cinematic education, UNATC has transformed into a modern hub where art meets technology. The university hosts CINETic, a pioneering research department dedicated to digital interaction and applied neuroscience, which advances innovation through virtual and augmented reality, sound and text generation, and immersive storytelling. Its Master’s program in Interactive Technologies trains students to design cutting-edge digital experiences, preparing graduates for leading roles in the creative industries.
Within the ELICIA project, UNATC brings exceptional value by combining its expertise in creativity and technology to co-develop interdisciplinary curricula, demonstrate AI applications in performing arts and media, and mentor students in developing innovative cultural projects. The university contributes significant resources by offering state-of-the-art studios and access to CINETic’s research infrastructure, enabling participants to gain hands-on experience in digital media production and experimental storytelling. Through its strong integration of education, research, and collaboration with creative industries, UNATC bridges the gap between artistic exploration and technological innovation, ensuring that the solutions developed within ELICIA are both technologically advanced and culturally meaningful.
UNATC
Romania
Start-up Centrum (SC) is a dynamic platform and ecosystem enabler based in Turkey, dedicated to connecting entrepreneurs with investors, accelerators, and incubators. The platform serves as a bridge between startups and the innovation ecosystem by providing data-driven insights, recruitment support, and grant incentive consultancy to help startups grow and scale. SC actively facilitates collaboration opportunities for early-stage ventures, enabling them to engage with ecosystem players, validate their ideas, and accelerate their development.
Within the ELICIA project, Start-up Centrum plays a crucial role in leading industry partnerships, coordinating mentorship and internship opportunities, and contributing to the creation of the Digital Knowledge Platform. By leveraging its extensive network of investors, accelerators, and corporate partners, SC supports the incubation of AI-enabled creative ventures and ensures that project participants gain direct access to market expertise and growth opportunities. Its strong position within the entrepreneurial ecosystem allows SC to align academic innovations with real-world business needs, helping transform project outcomes into sustainable, scalable ventures.
Start-up Centrum (SC)
Türkiye
Anthology Ventures (AV) is an angel-powered venture studio based in Bulgaria, supporting early-stage deep tech startups across Central, Southern, and Eastern Europe. The organization provides tailored guidance in fundraising, operations, and governance, helping startups accelerate growth and achieve market readiness. Through programs such as Ventures Thrive, AV offers equity-free funding opportunities for startups in widening countries, strengthening innovation ecosystems and fostering entrepreneurial talent. Since 2021, its portfolio companies have collectively raised over €18 million in private and public funding.
Within the ELICIA project, Anthology Ventures leads the incubation and mentorship programs for AI-driven creative ventures, providing expert coaching, investor connections, and strategic guidance to transform innovative ideas into sustainable businesses. By leveraging its experience in scaling startups and mobilizing investment, AV ensures that participants are equipped with the resources, networks, and market insights needed to succeed beyond the project’s lifecycle.
Anthology Ventures (AV)
Bulgaria
Ilia State University (ISU), founded in 2006 through the merger of six leading Georgian higher education and research institutions, is one of the country’s most prominent public research universities. Located in Tbilisi, ISU serves as a center of academic excellence, hosting more than 16,000 students and over 1,000 academic staff. The university encompasses 47 research institutes and centers, including the Science Education Research Centre (SALiS), which actively supports national and international projects, teacher professional development, and STEM education reform in Georgia. ISU is known for its strong commitment to evidence-based policy, interdisciplinary research, and innovative learning methodologies that prepare graduates to address complex societal challenges.
Within the ELICIA project, ISU plays a key role in bringing regional and interdisciplinary perspectives, contributing to the co-development of AI- and creativity-focused modules, and supporting the piloting of Creative Innovation Labs. Its researchers and faculty provide expertise in digital education, curriculum design, and capacity building, ensuring that the project’s outcomes are inclusive, scalable, and responsive to the needs of diverse learners. ISU also leverages its international partnerships and research networks to facilitate knowledge exchange, mentorship, and collaboration, bridging academia, industry, and policymakers to strengthen the innovation ecosystem in Georgia and beyond.
Ilia State University (ISU)
Georgia
Burgas Free University (BFU), established in 1991, is one of Bulgaria’s most modern and internationally oriented higher education institutions. Located on the Black Sea coast, BFU offers accredited programs at Bachelor, Master, and PhD levels across four faculties: Legal Studies, Business Studies, Computer Science and Engineering, and Humanities. The university is recognized for its commitment to sustainability, innovation, entrepreneurship, and the preservation of cultural heritage, and it maintains strong partnerships with industry, local authorities, and international academic networks.
Within the ELICIA project, BFU brings significant value by ensuring that Creative Innovation Labs and workshops address real societal needs, with a particular focus on sustainability and cultural heritage projects. Its resources include well-established regional stakeholder connections, interdisciplinary research experience, and a strong academic team that actively engages in co-developing AI- and creativity-focused curricula. By bridging education, research, and cultural initiatives with practical applications, BFU strengthens the Knowledge Triangle and ensures that project activities produce tangible, socially relevant outcomes.
Burgas Free University (BFU)
Bulgaria
Acceler8 is a Malta-based innovation hub and co-working community dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs, startups, and creative professionals. It offers tailored business support, mentorship, and networking opportunities, providing an inspiring environment for early-stage ventures to grow and scale internationally.
Within the ELICIA project, Acceler8 enhances the consortium’s reach by fostering connections with entrepreneurial ecosystems across Southern Europe, giving participants direct exposure to a vibrant innovation network. Its expertise in entrepreneurship training and the organization of innovation festivals creates opportunities for project members to showcase their ideas, connect with investors, and receive targeted mentorship. By facilitating collaboration between academia and industry at the regional level, Acceler8 strengthens the Knowledge Triangle and ensures that AI- and creativity-driven solutions emerging from the project are commercially viable and impactful.
Within the ELICIA project, BFU brings significant value by ensuring that Creative Innovation Labs and workshops address real societal needs, with a particular focus on sustainability and cultural heritage projects. Its resources include well-established regional stakeholder connections, interdisciplinary research experience, and a strong academic team that actively engages in co-developing AI- and creativity-focused curricula. By bridging education, research, and cultural initiatives with practical applications, BFU strengthens the Knowledge Triangle and ensures that project activities produce tangible, socially relevant outcomes.
Acceler8
Malta (Associated Partner)