Intro
This newsletter highlights TRIANGLE’s progress as the project moves from Phase 1 toward Phase 2, reflecting on key achievements, results, and lessons learned. It brings together updates on startup support, training and mentoring activities, new partnerships, supporting mechanisms, EIT community engagement, and success stories developed across the TRIANGLE innovation ecosystem.
TRIANGLE Successfully Advances to Phase 2
TRIANGLE has successfully completed its Phase 1 review and has been officially approved to move forward into Phase 2 of implementation under the EIT Higher Education Initiative. This positive evaluation reflects the shared commitment, collaboration, and collective effort of the TRIANGLE consortium throughout the first phase of the project.
Partners from Barleti University, American University of Beirut – Mediterraneo, Harokopio University of Athens, S2 Xpeed, Novelcore, and Center for Social Innovation (CSI) have all contributed to shaping the project’s progress and strengthening its impact. As TRIANGLE enters Phase 2, the consortium looks forward to continuing its work in building a stronger European innovation ecosystem that connects academia, industry, and society.
Looking Back at Phase 1: From Pilot to Scale — Key Achievements
Phase 1 marked an important milestone for TRIANGLE, setting the foundation for the project’s transition from pilot activities toward wider implementation and scale.
During this phase, the consortium jointly co-designed and delivered the Training & Mentorship Programme, bringing together HEI and industry partners to support entrepreneurial learning, innovation capacity, and cross-sector collaboration.
Startup Mentoring Program — Supporting Startups Through Tailored Mentorship
During Phase 1, TRIANGLE supported 5 startups through dedicated mentoring sessions designed to strengthen their entrepreneurial development and market readiness. The mentoring process offered practical guidance on business model development, customer validation, product positioning, branding, funding opportunities, and scaling strategies.
The supported startups included Nepheli, HOLO.PK, Alisa Dudaj, Evangelia Tech, and AdriaMont Consulting. Through personalised mentorship, each startup had the opportunity to reflect on its current challenges, refine its value proposition, and identify concrete steps for future growth.
Nepheli served as a strong example of how tailored mentoring can support startups in clarifying their business direction, improving their growth strategy, and preparing for the next stages of development.
Out of the 5 startups supported during Phase 1, 2 were female-led or female-represented — reflecting TRIANGLE’s commitment to inclusive entrepreneurial support and equal opportunities for diverse founders within the European innovation ecosystem.
Training and Mentoring Program — Strengthening Skills Through Training and Mentorship
During Phase 1, TRIANGLE’s Training and Mentoring Program brought together participants, trainers, and mentors to strengthen entrepreneurial skills through practical learning, expert guidance, and knowledge exchange.
New Partnerships — Strengthening TRIANGLE’s Innovation Network
During Phase 1, TRIANGLE strengthened its collaboration network through the development of new partnerships aimed at supporting entrepreneurship, innovation, and knowledge exchange across Europe.
The first partnership was established between S2 Xpeed Ventures SL and Emprèn UPC, supporting TRIANGLE’s connection with startup development, innovation support, and the commercialisation of academic knowledge.
A second partnership was established between Barleti University and Study in Greece, contributing to stronger academic collaboration, international networking, and the development of links between higher education institutions, industry, and entrepreneurial ecosystems.
These partnerships reflect TRIANGLE’s commitment to building long-term cooperation frameworks that connect academia, business, and innovation actors beyond the project consortium.
New Supporting Mechanisms
TRIANGLE Co-Creation & Skills Lab
The TRIANGLE Co-Creation & Skills Lab was established as an innovation hub and entrepreneurial learning space operating in Tirana, Albania, and across Europe. The Lab is designed to support students, staff, startups, and ecosystem actors by creating opportunities for co-creation, skills development, mentoring, networking, and collaboration. It strengthens TRIANGLE’s mission to connect academia, industry, and society, while providing a practical space where ideas can be developed into more structured and innovation-driven initiatives.
VR Experience Evaluation Workshop at the TRIANGLE Co-Creation & Skills Lab
The VR Experience Evaluation Workshop was held at the TRIANGLE Co-Creation & Skills Lab at Barleti University, led by Sokol Shurdhi, Director of the ICT Center. Participants tested a VR experience developed for the Berat Ethnographic Museum, contributing to the evaluation of usability, engagement, and technology acceptance. The activity showcased the Lab as a practical space for digital innovation, experimentation, and applied learning.
TRIANGLE Showcased During POLICY ANSWERS Study Visit
The TRIANGLE Co-Creation & Skills Lab was showcased during a Horizon project study visit held within Barleti University’s innovation ecosystem, as part of the final event of POLICY ANSWERS / Western Balkans Info Hub in Tirana. The visit brought together policymakers, experts, and stakeholders from the Western Balkans and the EU, offering an opportunity to present the Lab as a space for co-creation, digital skills development, and interdisciplinary innovation.
Deliberate Platform
The Deliberate Platform was introduced within TRIANGLE as an AI-powered digital tool supporting discussion, co-creation, and stakeholder engagement. Through a user-friendly interface, the platform enables participants to share opinions, contribute to discussion topics, and support assignments and evaluations within the training programme. Its AI-based features help summarise ideas, identify key trends, and analyse different perspectives, contributing to more informed decision-making and innovation-oriented learning.
TRIANGLE Participation in the Third Co-Creation Workshop for Cohort 4 Projects
TRIANGLE participated in the third Co-Creation Workshop for Cohort 4 projects, focused on IP Insights and Best Practices. The online session brought together HEI Initiative participants to explore the role of intellectual property in supporting innovation, research commercialisation, and long-term project impact. Through expert input, practical guidance, and peer exchange, the workshop provided useful insights on IP strategies, IPR applications, KPI reporting, and good practices from other EIT HEI projects.
Community Events
Green & Social Entrepreneurship: From Theory to Practice
TRIANGLE was introduced by the Center for Social Innovation (CSI) Cyprus during the course “Green and Social Entrepreneurship: From Theory to Practice.” The session engaged students in exploring the links between sustainability, innovation, and social impact, highlighting how European initiatives such as TRIANGLE can inspire responsible entrepreneurship and support the development of ideas into action.
TRIANGLE at EIT Urban Mobility Event in Tirana
TRIANGLE was represented at the event “Making Innovation Happen in Albania: Harvesting Innovation with EIT Urban Mobility” in Tirana, highlighting the importance of collaboration between cities, industry, academia, and innovation actors. The event provided an opportunity to connect TRIANGLE’s mission with EIT Urban Mobility’s focus on sustainable, inclusive, and people-centered urban innovation, while reinforcing the project’s support for early-stage innovators and startups.
TRIANGLE at EIT Health Event in Tirana
TRIANGLE participated in “Making Innovation Happen in Albania: Harvesting Innovation with EIT Health” in Tirana, sharing its experience as an EIT HEI Initiative mechanism supporting research, startups, and innovation ecosystems. During Panel II on “Supporting Health Innovation in Albania: National, Regional, and European Funding Mechanisms,” Kejda Nuhu highlighted the role of EIT support in connecting research, entrepreneurship, and funding opportunities, while strengthening collaboration across the health innovation ecosystem.
Collaborations, Success Stories and Food for Thought
Ecoprise: Future-Oriented Social Entrepreneurship
TRIANGLE highlighted the Ecoprise project as a complementary initiative supporting sustainable and regenerative entrepreneurship across Europe. Ecoprise focuses on developing ecopreneurs and promoting business models rooted in ecovillage design, circular economy, community value, and social wellbeing. The story connects with TRIANGLE’s mission to strengthen entrepreneurial skills, knowledge exchange, and innovation ecosystems, while encouraging more sustainable and socially responsible approaches to entrepreneurship.
TRIANGLE Podcast: Innovation Begins with People and Ideas
The TRIANGLE Podcast was launched as a new communication format to share stories, experiences, and insights from across the TRIANGLE ecosystem. Through conversations with innovators, entrepreneurs, academics, and ecosystem actors, the podcast aims to connect voices that inspire collaboration, knowledge exchange, and real-world impact.