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SMAR3TS Consortium
Where are our Partners?
Who are our Partners?
SMAR3TS Coordinator:
RMIT Europe, based in Barcelona is the regional coordinating centre for extending RMIT University's international engagement and strategically growing the university’s collaborative research and mobility activity in Europe. RMIT Europe facilitates RMIT University's engagement with European academic and industry partners via trans-regional collaborative research projects.
Beneficiary Partners:
Smart Innovation Norway (SIN) is a non-profit research organisation with extensive participation and experience in 30+ EU funded projects under different work programs (some of them as coordinators) where energy efficiency, energy system modelling, renewables, and sustainability are core. SIN has expertise in the fields of sustainable energy, applied artificial intelligence, digital entrepreneurship, smart cities and social innovation, SIN help startup’s, SMEs, municipalities and publicly owned companies with R&I and business scaling and growth.
Radical Innovations Group is a R&D-driven strategy and transformation advisory firm. We work across industries with a strong emphases on “clean & circular“ materials, energy, and economy development. They invest, build, and scale ventures in the areas of deep tech, cleantech, and sustainability.
The Science and Technology Park of the University of Porto – UPTEC, created in 2007, was entrusted to foster the creation and development of business projects in the arts, sciences and technologies, by supporting the effective transfer of knowledge and technology between the U.Porto and the market. UPTEC has a wide experience in business development and in supporting the translation of knowledge generated in the university to the market. Over the last 15 years, UPTEC has supported more than 700 business projects, and contributed to the direct and indirect creation of 6500 new jobs, 86% of which are highly qualified jobs.
The “EnergyVaasa” cluster, the first (and only) ESCA Gold Certified cluster, is managed by Merinova Ltd. The Cluster altogether contains 67 contracted companies, universities, and municipalities (and about 100 of their suppliers) in the field of energy production, transfer, saving, and storage products. The cutting- edge expertise of the Cluster is in electrical and energy technology, as well as (especially metal) manufacturing.
The City of Lappeenranta is a Mission City and was awarded Mission Label in 2024. It is located in southeast of Finland and has 73 thousand inhabitants. The city aims to be climate neutral by 2030 by adopting energy transition visions including the deployment of renewable energy technologies, improve waste management through innovative circular economy solutions and promote green mobility options. Greenreality Network is a forum of 50+ local companies with visions and innovations towards green transition. The city coordinates networking actions co-design and co-create solutions for green investment business development and co-apply for EU funding opportunities. https://www.greenreality.fi/
Estonian HR Association PARE is the largest network of professionals in the field of HR and human resource management in Estonia, established in 1992. Through our members we cover all industries and sectors, i.e. private, public and non-profit organisations. PARE has more than 500 legal and private members, bringing together more than 2,000 people interested in HR and management issues. Our aim is to improve the quality of leadership and working life in Estonia. PARE provides training and development in leadership and human resource management for both members and the wider community.
Rosteka UAB is a fast-growing innovative company in transport and logistic services, operating in EU markets, winning an award title for Gazelle and Top Reliable Company over the years. For 15 years the company has been growing the fleet, but also developed the concept of quality of the services by investing in training, innovation and providing complex services. Today for maintaining the competitive edge in being reliable business partner, as well as targeting sustainability and future logistic challenges, the company is investing in artificial intelligence applications and digitalisation solutions for future logistics.
The Siena Art Institute (SART) is a non-profit organisation based in Siena, Italy, that focuses on the training and dissemination of contemporary artistic practices. Since 2010, it has offered academic programmes for university students and recent graduates in art, architecture, and writing, as well as summer and winter intensive courses, community art and craft workshops, and artist residencies. SART has hosted over 130 artists in research residencies and engaged over 750 young artists in university level training. Since 2022, SART has undertaken awareness and training initiatives in social practice, implementing pilot projects with marginalised communities through local and regional contributions. SART also manages a community garden to explore and experiment with projects dedicated to agroecology and the environmental sustainability of artistic and cultural practices.
The University of Cambridge is one of the world’s oldest universities, founded in 1209. It is a leading academic centre, regularly ranked in the top 5 universities globally. Cambridge is a globally diverse institution, attended by students from more than 130 different countries. The University of Cambridge sits at the heart of one of the world’s largest technology clusters, home to 5,300 knowledge-intensive companies. https://www.cam.ac.uk/about-the-university. SMAR3TS will be connected to The Institute for Manufacturing (IfM) which is part of the Department of Engineering, and focuses on 1) World-leading research in collaboration with companies and governments; 2) World-class undergraduate and postgraduate education to create the manufacturing leaders of the future; and 3) Real-world application through the embedded knowledge transfer company, IfM Engage Ltd. https://www.ifm.eng.cam.ac.uk/aboutifm/
The University of Agder (UiA) is one of the most modern universities in Norway, and it is still growing and consolidating its position for its high-quality research and study programmes both on the national and international level. The mission of the School of Business and Law at UiA is to co-create knowledge by applying international, innovative, and responsible perspectives. UiA is building a distinct profile in the Norwegian market for business education as a university-based and innovative business school, offering unique international and practice-oriented experiences to our students. The School of Business and Law is internationally accredited through AACSB, and currently has 43 PhD candidates enrolled in the programme from 19 different nationalities.
LUT University (Lappeenranta–Lahti University of Technology LUT) is a public science university in Finland, bringing together the fields of technology, business and social sciences. LUT is among the world’s top 300 universities (THE World’s University Rankings). In 2022 LUT ranked 9th in the world in climate action in THE Impact Ranking. LUT University actively pioneers' cutting-edge technologies and innovative business models that support resource efficiency, waste reduction, and the incorporation of renewable resources by utilizing its cutting-edge research facilities.
The University of Vaasa (UNIVAASA) is a business-oriented, multidisciplinary, and highly international university. UNIVAASA has a core faculty of approx. 450 members and over 5000 students. It hosts one of the largest internationally accredited business schools in Finland. The university’s three strategic core areas of research are Energy Transition & Technology, Business Management and Governance & Society. UNIVAASA is ranked 22nd in the world & number one in Finland in business administration in the Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS) published by Shanghai Ranking. The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025 places it among the top 500 universities in the world and THE Young University Ranking 2024 ranks the university in 73rd place. UNIVAASA is ranked 17th in the Times Higher Education (THE) Small Universities Ranking, 2nd in the Nordic countries. UNIVAASA is a partner of EnergyVaasa, the largest environment and energy sector innovation cluster in the Nordic countries.
INESC TEC is an Associate Laboratory with 39 years of experience in R&D and technology transfer, having as associates the University of Porto, INESC, the Polytechnic Institute of Porto, University of Minho and University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro. INESC TEC is a private non-profit research institution, dedicated to scientific research and technological development, technology transfer, advanced consulting and training, and pre-incubation of new technology-based companies. As an institution operating at the interface of the academic and business worlds, bringing closer together academia, companies, public administration, and society, INESC TEC typically applies the knowledge and results generated as part of its research in technology transfer projects, seeking value creation and immediate social relevance. Present in six sites in the cities of Porto, Braga and Vila Real, INESC TEC incorporates 13 R&D Centres, structured in eight scientific domains - Artificial Intelligence, Bioengineering, Communications, Computer Science and Engineering, Photonics, Power and Energy Systems, Robotics and Systems Engineering and Management. INESC TEC hosts over 1100 integrated researchers (about 400 PhDs), including staff researchers, researchers from Higher Education Institutions, grant holders and affiliated researchers. INESC TEC’s team also includes trainees, and technical and administrative support staff. INESC TEC supports the energy transition leading to a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, via the decarbonisation of the energy system, large-scale RES integration in isolated and interconnected power systems, electrification of the society, and increased energy efficiency. This involves the combination of model (physical) and data-driven methods for modelling and optimizing energy systems, leveraging emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and interoperability. Results include concepts, models, methodologies, and software tools, useful for addressing the decision problems of citizens, communities, multi-energy utilities, system operators, regulators, policymakers, and government bodies.
The University of Stuttgart enables exceptional, world-leading research in one of Europe’s most vibrant industrial areas. Under the vision “intelligent systems for a sustainable society” the university organizes its research activities with a strong focus on interdisciplinarity of engineering, natural sciences, humanities, management, economics and social sciences – the Stuttgart way. The university has operating clusters of excellence on the topics of new construction industry paradigm for sustainability (IntCDC with Max Planck Insititute – MPI-IS) and on data-integrated simulation science to advance in our understanding on physical and digital phenomena (SimTech).
Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya (UPC) is a public institution of research and higher education in the fields of engineering, architecture, science and technology, and one of the leading technical universities in Europe according to international rankings (Shanghai, QS). The Resource Recovery and Environmental (R2EM) research group is centring its activity in the development of upcycling solutions for the urban and industrial waste cycles by integration of advanced separation technologies. The development of new technological solutions to help industries and cities to reach carbon neutrality and promoting the recovery of critical raw materials to develop such technologies is nowadays our main research objectives. UPC has wide experience in the European Research Framework Programme, Under H2020 Framework Programme (2014-2020) UPC was granted 243 projects for a total financial contribution of 98.4 M€. Out of which 56 were Marie Sklodowska Curie Actions: 12 RISE, 16 PF and 28 ITN projects. Under the current Horizon Europe programme (2021-2027), the UPC has been granted 142 projects, from which 38 are coordinated (7 of them funded by the ERC), and with a total funding of 84.8 million Euros. Regarding the MSCA Programme under HE, the UPC is hosting 12 MSCA PF projects and 18 MSCA DN projects, out of which 5 are coordinated.
TalTech is recognised as one of the two leading research universities in Estonia, with 8,397 students (January 2024). TalTech’s Strategic Plan outlines the University’s mission and vision: "to be a leading provider of engineering and economic education, a leader in engineering sciences and smart technologies. We want to stand out, to distinguish and be equal to the best technology universities in Europe thanks to our smart solutions for creating a digital and climate-neutral future”. In 2023 our Green Strategy 2023–2035 was approved whereby we contribute to the green transition, fostering the growth of the Estonian economy and society, while also developing an environmentally friendly university, through the development of technologies, education, and research.
Innovative fundamental and applied research solutions corresponding to today’s and tomorrow’s challenges are being developed at the University. Leadership, high quality of scientific results and new research discoveries mobilise the academic community, and the latest research achievements and acquired practical experience are transferred to students. University researchers develop and transfer interdisciplinary knowledge and advanced technologies to domestic and foreign industry, business and the public sector by implementing projects of international and national research programmes and executing contracts for outsourced research and development, and innovation. University is active partner and lead to more than 200 Research and Innovation projects.
Babeş-Bolyai University (UBB) is currently the largest Romanian university, hosting around 48,600 students enrolled in Bachelor, Master, PhD or other academic programs, within its 22 faculties. Its origins date back to 1581, making it the oldest institution of higher education in Romania. Considering its position in the most important university worldwide rankings, UBB is the best higher education institution in Romania. UBB is the first (and only) five-star university confirmed in Romania by the international QS STAR audit of Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), the company that also publishes the QS ranking of the world’s universities, one of the most prestigious and used rankings of higher education institutions. UBB is the first (and only) university in Romania to be a member of the international academic organization GUILD, which brings together some of the most important European advanced research universities, as well as of EUTOPIA,. The Faculty of Economics and Business Administration (FSEGA) at UBB was established in 1920 and is the largest faculty in both UBB and Romania, with over 9,300 students and 350 faculty members. FSEGA holds a prestigious position in global rankings, is a full member of the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD), and actively participates in initiatives like the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), emphasizing international exposure and offering extensive mobility programs.
FEUN is higher education institution within the University of Nis which by performing its activities combines educational, scientific and research work as a part of a unique process of higher education. At FEUN the studies have been held on basic, postgraduate and doctoral level. For the purpose of adjusting the syllabus to the Bologna Process FEUN redesigns its syllabus in order to facilitate the integration into a unique European research and educational area. It has modern labs for scientific research and cooperation with business community.
UNISI is one of European oldest Universities (founded in 1240) and it maintains a leading role on the national and international scene both at teaching and research levels. UNISI has been involved in more than 150 research projects financed within the 7th Framework Program, Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe, and others with both roles of coordinator and partner. UNISI is also experienced, among 8 MSCA Individual/Post-doctoral Fellowships, 12 MSCA ITN/DN, 6 MSCA RISE/SE and 5 MSCA NIGHT/CITIZENS projects. UNISI achieved the “Human Resources Strategy for Researchers-HRS4R” EC label.
Associated Partners:
RMIT is a global university of technology and design, with more than 85,000 students at all levels and from vocational education through to advanced research. RMIT has three campuses in Melbourne, two in Vietnam, a centre in Spain and also offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs through partners in Singapore, Hong Kong, mainland China, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Belgium and Germany. RMIT University controls RMIT Europe .
The University of St.Gallen (HSG) is the university of the Canton of St.Gallen and Switzerland’s leading business school. The University of St.Gallen’s Institute of Responsible Innovation is a multidisciplinary research institute that addresses complex business problems related to societal grand challenges. The institute engages in research, teaching, and practical applications, supporting businesses to contribute to the responsible and greener future. The team has extensive experience using satellite remote sensing data to analyse management related phenomena, such as sustainable management practices. The team has excellent track record of publishing in premier management journals and leading numerous projects under the Swiss National Science Foundation.
The Institute for Knowledge and Innovation Southeast Asia (IKI-SEA), is a Bangkok University Center of Excellence operating as a not for profit organization. The IKI-SEA combines leading-edge academic research capability with in-depth business experience to provide practical and effective business solutions to the private and public sectors, both here in Thailand as well as throughout Southeast Asia. We provide consultancy, trainings, seminars, workshops, facilitation, coaching, and advisory services to help organizations in implementing and leveraging their Knowledge Management, Innovation Management, Organizational Creativity, and Organizational Learning strategies and projects.
As a flagship University, the University of Mauritius has significantly delineated itself in its research performance and endeavours in recent years. Its vision, a Research-Engaged and Entrepreneurial University, clearly shows its commitment to improve the Mauritian economy and society. The UoM plays an even more preponderant role as a Higher Education Institution (HEI) as a think tank to spearhead innovation. The contribution of UoM towards making Mauritius a Knowledge Hub is undeniable.
IfM Engage is an independent company, fully owned by the University of Cambridge. Its mission is knowledge transfer, helping people and organisations to develop their capabilities and build the future of manufacturing – we help “manufacturing a better world”. IfM Engage partners with organisations across industry, government and academia to support them in solving complex challenges, using approaches and knowledge developed at the Institute for Manufacturing (IfM), a division of the University of Cambridge’s Department of Engineering.
ARENA2036 stands for “Active Research Environment for the next generation of Automobiles” and is one of nine research campus of the funding initiative "Research Campus – Public-Private Partnership for Innovations" in Germany. ARENA2036 is supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and is run as a registered association with members from science and industry. Our partners are active in various disciplines – from the automotive industry, aerospace technology, textile and materials research to industrial science. It operates as a platform provider, a research campus with science and industry collaborating on equal footing with a primary focus on the automotive sector. Sustainability is one out of four key strategic research pillars of ARENA2036 for the next 5 years, it is thus of great interest to host secondments with similar research interests and to connect those people within our partner network for the initiation of joint projects.
Kempower develops EV fast charging options with aim to make it available to everyone, anywhere. Kempower already has solid foothold in Nordic region and is growing quickly across Europe and North America. Kempower pledge to achieve 100% carbon neutrality by 2035 and 100% recyclability in manufacturing by 2025.
Kouvola Innovation Oy (Kinno) facilitates and assists the expansion of businesses, especially in the Finnish area of Kouvola. Kinno places a high priority on helping customers grow and seek to establish connections amongst various participants in the business ecosystem since they are strong proponents of the benefits of teamwork. Kinno is committed to shared achievement, problem-solving, and teamwork in order to assist businesses grow. Kinno is also playing an active role in achieving RIS3 Strategies of the Kymenlaakson region -southeast of Finland by promoting and enabling business around three smart specialization areas: 1) smart and green logistics, 2) renewable materials and energy (bio and circular economy priority, and 3) data economy, cyber security and gamification (digitalisation priority).
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CMI - Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation is an independent Finnish organisation that works to prevent and resolve conflicts through dialogue and mediation. Founded in 2000 by Nobel Peace Laureate and former President of Finland Martti Ahtisaari, we have since grown to be a leader in the field of international peacemaking. CMI has 100 international experts and over 300 global partners from a variety of fields with whom we have advanced more than 50 peace processes in the Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Eurasia and Asia. CMI shared the commitment of developing innovative solutions to tackle issues at the heart of political conflict that prevent peace processes from moving forward.
Kymenlaakson Sähköverkko Oy is a Finnish DSO operating in South-Eastern part of Finland. We deliver electricity to more than 100 000 customers. We know our customers and develop competitive solutions for them, which also adhere to the principles of sustainable development of both the environment and society. We systematically invest in increasing security of supply of our electricity network and continuously develop our electricity network to be able to connect green energy solutions to our network. Through considered investments, we ensure a reliable electricity supply to our customers.
FinanceEstonia is a non-profit finance sector cluster organisation, connecting over 90 members from banks, fintechs, legal and consultancy firms and public sector organisations, working closely with the government, financial institutions, and other stakeholders. FinanceEstonia has a subsection/ task force dedicated to sustainable finance.
Amphos 21 Consulting S.L., is a company offering its services in environmental consulting since 1994. Since 2021, Amphos 21 is part of the RSK group, a leading worldwide group integrated by a family of over 200 environmental, engineering and technical services businesses. Specifically, the main services of Amphos 21 are, on one hand, scientific consulting for nuclear, radioactive and industrial waste management; technical consulting related to the management of water resources, contaminated land and energy optimization, and strategic consulting related to sustainable architecture, environmental management and mitigation and adaptation to climatic change effects.
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Founded in 2006, Innoget is an Innovation consulting firm offering a wide range of services aimed at supporting large corporates, R&D Organizations and Universities across the world to collaborate in joint research & development projects, co-development technical and open innovation challenges. Over the last 18 years Innoget has participated in more than a thousand Open Innovation challenges from multiple sectors and research topics.