ARIES Incubator’s Second Face-to-Face Meeting

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CUAS Leads Strategic Collaboration in Ingolstadt

The ACE²-EU Alliance took a significant step forward as the ARIES Incubator, led by Carinthia University of Applied Sciences (CUAS), hosted its second Face-to-Face Meeting in Ingolstadt, Germany. This gathering brought together key stakeholders from across the alliance to define, refine, and activate the strategic vision of the ARIES Incubator, with CUAS at the leading of Work Package 3 (WP3) driving the discussions. 

CUAS Delegation: A Hub of Expertise and Leadership 
The CUAS delegation, representing a diverse range of expertise, played a pivotal role in shaping the meeting’s outcomes: 

  • Sangeetha Brennsteiner, Head of the ARIES Incubator, led discussions on strategic direction, mission alignment, and long-term objectives for the incubator. 
  • Johanna Dorrighi, representing FH Research, Erich Hartlieb, Gloria Bottaro, Eithne Knappitsch, representing Entrepreneurship and Gründergarage, shared their expertise in fostering entrepreneurial ecosystems, supporting startups, and insights into building impactful entrepreneurship activities 

This multi-faceted delegation ensured that CUAS’s contributions were both comprehensive and action-oriented, reflecting its leadership in advancing the ARIES Incubator’s mission within the ACE²-EU Alliance. 

A Meeting of Strategic Alignment and Action 
The second Face-to-Face Meeting served as a catalyst for collaboration and innovation, focusing on: 

  • Revisiting and refining the ARIES Incubator’s programs, including the Entrepreneurship Academy and Applied Research Centres (ARCs). 
  • Defining clear goals and KPIs to ensure the incubator’s activities are measurable, impactful, and aligned with the alliance’s vision. 
  • Developing actionable plans for upcoming initiatives, such as the Knowledge Creation Team Workshops (KCTWs) and the Entrepreneurship Network Workshop. 

As the lead of WP3, CUAS played a central role in guiding these discussions, ensuring that the outcomes were practical, ambitious, and aligned with the alliance’s strategic goals. 
Key Outcomes and Next Steps 
The meeting resulted in strategic decisions and actionable next steps, including: 

  • A refined roadmap for the ARIES Incubator’s programs, complete with timelines and responsibilities. 
  • Strengthened collaboration among partners building understanding around resources, budget and  
  • Concrete plans for upcoming events, including the Entrepreneurship Network Workshop (2027) and KCTW #4 in Romania (July 6–8, 2026), KCTW #5 in Lithuania and KCTW#6 in Portugal. 

CUAS’s leadership was instrumental in shaping these outcomes, ensuring that the ARIES Incubator remains a driver of innovation, collaboration, and societal impact within the ACE²-EU Alliance. 

The Vision Ahead 
The ARIES Incubator is a cornerstone of the ACE²-EU Alliance, designed to foster applied, connected, and entrepreneurial solutions across Europe. By leading this strategic meeting, CUAS reaffirmed its commitment to driving cross-border collaboration, empowering researchers and entrepreneurs, and building a sustainable ecosystem for innovation.  
Looking ahead to 2027, the ARIES Incubator Central Coordination and Support Office Team will meet again in North Macedonia and Austria to continue building the future of the ARIES Incubator, one of the core Operational Units in the alliance. 
As the alliance moves forward, the decisions and actions from this meeting will serve as a blueprint for future success, ensuring that the ARIES Incubator continues to inspire, connect, and transform the landscape of European innovation.