EIT opens Silicon Valley Hub, boosting EIT Health access to US market

Transatlantic bridge for European innovation

The first EIT Community Hub outside of Europe opened yesterday (27 March 2019) in Silicon Valley, the leading innovation centre in San Francisco, US. EIT Health and other EIT KICs can use the Silicon Valley Hub to support European innovators in attracting US customers, partners and investors. It will also showcase innovation made in Europe and bolster the visibility of innovative European solutions to global challenges.

Building on the existing Silicon Valley Hub of EIT Digital, the EIT Silicon Valley Hub will represent EIT Health, EIT Digital, EIT Climate-KIC, EIT Food and EIT Raw Materials in its first phase of operation. The Hub will support European ventures to sell their products and services on the US market, attract US students to the EIT’s entrepreneurial education programmes in Europe, provide a gateway to Europe for US-based organisations, facilitate joint open innovation initiatives and generally stimulate stronger collaboration between the EIT Community and Silicon Valley.

“To strengthen Europe’s competitiveness and to tackle the most pressing global challenges facing our society through innovation, we have to connect globally,” Martin Kern, EIT Interim Director said at the opening ceremony. “This EIT Hub will further strengthen Europe’s innovation ecosystem and act as a bridge between Europe and the Silicon Valley for entrepreneurs, innovators and students.”

Jim Wunderman, President & CEO Bay Area Council, added: “The Bay Area Council welcomes the establishment of the EIT Hub in Silicon Valley and is happy to welcome the EIT among its partners. International ties have long standing tradition that have been beneficial to both sides and the presence of the EIT strengthens our connection to Europe.”

In the near future, the EIT Community will continue expanding their footprint beyond Europe and establish additional EIT Community Hubs in Tel Aviv (Israel) and Beijing (China).

The EIT (European Institute of Innovation & Technology) establishes KICs (Knowledge and Innovation Communities) such as EIT Health to drive Europe’s ability to innovate.

For more information, contact:

• Caroline Vandenplas, caroline.vandenplas@eit.europa.eu