European regions are in need of robust ecosystems to foster deep technology innovations from research to market, as highlighted in recent project activities of “DeepTechValleys – Deep Tech Ecosystem Empowerment for Regional Transformation” held in Thessaloniki and Craiova. Organized under the European Interregional Cooperation Program Interreg Europe 2021-2027, the events included participants from the Regional Development Fund of Central Macedonia, the project’s lead partner, and local entrepreneurs.
The “DeepTechValleys” initiative is an innovative EU project aimed at technological advancement, co-funded by the “Interreg Europe” program, scheduled to run for 51 months until June 30, 2028. The partnership consists of ten entities from nine EU countries: Greece, Sweden, Romania, Austria, Slovakia, Lithuania, Spain, Portugal, and France.
“The consortium, led by the Regional Development Fund of Central Macedonia, has collaborated to develop an ambitious plan encompassing nine regional policies for technological innovation prioritized by the European Union. The project encourages regional and interregional exchanges of experiences and knowledge while enhancing skill development to improve policy-making tools in this domain. Through the initiative, partners can share and implement best practices, significantly boosting regional competitiveness and cohesion,” a statement emphasized, announcing the next interregional meeting scheduled for November 17-18, 2025, in Graz, Austria.
Meetings in Thessaloniki and Craiova
At the third regional support group meeting held at the Alexandria Innovation Zone (Thessinnozone), representatives from significant entities in Central Macedonia, including the Municipality of Thessaloniki, University of Macedonia, Walk_AUTh of AUTH, ANATOLIKI S.A., and others participated.
During the meeting, representatives from the Regional Development Fund of Central Macedonia presented the project’s progress, stressing the importance of targeted calls that align with the Smart Specialization Strategy (RIS3) of the Central Macedonia Region, complete with clear criteria and measurable outcomes.
KEPA-ANEM representative Athanasios Kakoudis discussed the “Innovation & Export Start” and “Key to Progress” initiatives in Central Macedonia, outlining the support framework, publicity plan, and necessary evaluation criteria that consider the specific needs of startups and investment maturity. The Regional Support Group aims to convene again in the fourth semester of the project to further document good practices and align them with relevant policy tools.
Representatives from the Region and the Regional Development Fund attended the fourth interregional meeting in Craiova, hosted by the Regional Development Agency of South-West Oltenia, Romania. This meeting featured participants from universities, research institutes, and other technology innovation entities across partner countries to exchange knowledge and good practices while exploring ways to strengthen startup ecosystems. Highlights included discussions on regional research and innovation dynamics with participants from local universities and significant research institutes in Romania, alongside an online input from a European Commission representative who stressed the EU’s role in developing deep technology capabilities. The partners also shared their experiences and practices in nurturing skills within Deep Tech Start-ups, fostering dialogue on regional challenges and opportunities.
On the second day, attendees visited the National Institute for Aerospace Research (INCAS), where they observed advanced technologies in an exhibition. The discussions that followed focused on enhancing skills in deep technology startups, reinforcing the common goal of driving innovation and supporting startups as catalysts for development and transformation. (22/10/25)
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