10141908HEI InitiativeClosedEU-FundedHorizon Europe GuaranteeThe ACCELERATE-EEE initiative aims to build capacity in partner higher education institutions (University of Glasgow, Vrije University Amsterdam, Corvinus University Budapest) to foster data-driven entrepreneurial firms in areas such as fintech, medtech, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things. The project focuses on embedding an entrepreneurial culture within HEIs, aligning them with industry best practices, and scaling entrepreneurial support for a wider range of stakeholders. The initiative unites three HEIs, one intermediary (STAC.ac), and three associate partners across European ecosystems, leveraging their unique strengths to create an open, collaborative network. The project has several key objectives: Removing barriers to participation: A high-quality online module will be developed for academic staff and students interested in launching data-driven start-ups. This flexible, accessible module ensures inclusivity, reaching potential entrepreneurs who cannot attend in-person programs. 1. Prioritizing internal entrepreneurship education: The project shifts HEIs’ focus inward, emphasizing the development of entrepreneurship capacity among internal stakeholders, such as students and staff, rather than solely catering to external partners. 2. Learning from industry: To stay aligned with the fast-paced tech sector, the project partners with industry experts like STAC to deliver training for non-academic colleagues. Workshops and curriculum development are supported by industry associate partners to bridge internal support with external trends. 3. Building communities of practice: To ensure long-term impact, the initiative will establish communities of practice among HEI stakeholders who support entrepreneurship. This includes in-person workshops to create action plans and staff exchanges between partner institutions to share knowledge. 4. Leveraging partner ecosystems for capacity expansion: The project will utilize the collective expertise and resources of its network to develop an international mentoring system. This network will connect academics, non-academics, and students with industry mentors, addressing challenges in scaling high-tech ventures that require specialized knowledge. Overall, ACCELERATE-EEE will train 600 students, 57 academics, and 57 non-academic staff, while mentoring over 171 HEI stakeholders through its international network, thereby expanding entrepreneurship capacity across European HEIs.