(AGENPARL) – Thu 19 February 2026 * NEW STUDY CONFIRMS EIT’s IMPACT IN STRENGTHENING EUROPE’S COMPETITIVENESS *
Budapest, 19 February 2026 – * A new study shows that the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), through its support of innovation ecosystems, delivers strong and measurable impact for Europe’s competitiveness in areas such as sustainable energy and digitalisation. The findings come at a time when Europe is seeking tangible returns on its investments. *
The ## study ## (https://www.eit.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2026-02/EIT%20Impact%20Study.pdf) finds that the EIT – an EU body that created ten thematic Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) – has generated substantial economic and societal benefits for Europe through its unique innovation model. It shows strong contributions by the EIT to innovation-based growth in areas that are EU policy priorities. The study focusses in particular on financial leverage, i.e., how EU funds allocated by the EIT to its Innovation Communities lead not only to direct economic and societal impact, but also create significant leverage as they mobilise significant amounts of further private and public funds.
* Results for Europe: jobs, skills and social benefits *
The EIT is Europe’s largest innovation ecosystem, connecting education, research and business to turn public investment into lasting economic and social impact. Through the support of its innovation communities, EIT-backed companies grow faster and survive longer than the European average.   The study demonstrates that after receiving EIT support:
– Ventures have attracted €15.7 billion in external investment, significantly multiplying EIT funding.
– Companies have more than doubled their revenues on average.
– Over 90% remain active, far above typical European startup survival rates.
– Nearly half qualify as high-growth companies, compared with fewer than one in five across the EU.
– In 2023 alone, EIT-supported companies supported over 92 000 jobs across Europe. 
Beyond economic performance, the study also highlights further results of the EIT in education and skills, as well as examples of societal impact:
– The EIT reduces the European skills and innovation gaps by combining technology and entrepreneurship training. Graduates of EIT programmes report strong outcomes, with two in three indicating significant skills gains, and one in four going on to found or join a startup company. 
– The EIT ensures presence on the ground through hubs also in EU Member States with lower innovation capacity as well as EU Candidate Countries through the ## EIT Regional Innovation Scheme ## (https://eit-ris.eu/). This system of innovation hubs within the EIT Community provides access to all its programmes across Europe and increases participation, according to the study.  
– The study also shows how the EIT strongly contributes to Europe’s green and digital transition. This includes supporting more than 100 regions across Europe to adapt to changes in climate conditions, reaching up to 53 million people. The EIT also contributes to €9.1 billion in energy cost savings. In addition, EIT-sponsored activities have helped provide improved energy access to over 503 000 households. 
* A unique model, aligned with European priorities *
The study confirms that the EIT contributes directly to key EU priorities, recently launched by the European Commission, such as the Union of Skills and the Startup and Scaleup Strategy. It also supports the Clean Industrial Deal through stronger innovation and skills development.
To further enhance its impact in the future, the EIT recently issued a ## * Strategic Vision * ## (https://www.eit.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2025-07/EIT%20Strategic%20Vision%20%28with%20annexes%29%20July%202025.pdf), calling for enhanced efforts to close Europe’s innovation and skills gap and suggesting effective means to further enhance the EIT’s impact via its Knowledge and Innovation Communities, building on its experience and lessons learnt. The study now confirms that the EIT delivers significant economic impact in EU priority areas.
While previous evaluations, including the mid-term review of Horizon Europe, the EU’s research and innovation programme for 2021–2027, have confirmed the EIT’s added value, this first large-scale EIT Impact Study was carried out by the independent consultancy Ecorys. It provides the first deep assessment of the EIT’s impressive economic and societal impact across a wider range of activities using a methodology that includes data analysis, surveys, interviews and case studies. Unless otherwise stated, all data relate to the full period of activity of the EIT and its KICs. 
* Laura Laringe, * ## * Co-Founder, reLi Energy * ## (https://www.eit.europa.eu/innoveit/nominees/laura-laringe) * * said: * * * ‘ * At reLi Energy, we are working to make Europe’s battery systems smarter, safer and more sustainable. Being part of the EIT Community has given us access to funding, expert mentoring and a strong European network of partners, helping us accelerate development and scale our impact in Europe’s transition to a more circular energy system.’ 
* Alfons Carnicero Carmona,  * ## * Co-Founder and CEO, ABLE Human Motion * ## (https://www.eit.europa.eu/innoveit/nominees/able-human-motion) * * said: * * ’At ABLE Human Motion, we are committed to improving the health, mobility, and quality of life of people living with physical disabilities. Being part of the EIT Community has provided far more than financial support: it has connected us to an ecosystem of strategic partners and clinical collaborators across Europe that has been key to refine, validate and scale our exoskeleton technology. This support has enabled us to move from research to real-world impact, bringing innovative rehabilitation solutions closer to the people who need them most. In just a couple of years, our device is now present in 35 rehabilitation institutions, helping more than 600 patients take over 3 million steps. And this is just the beginning!’ 
* Martin Kern, Director of the EIT *, * * said: ‘This study confirms that the EIT model works. By systematically connecting education, research and business, the EIT is turning ideas into innovation, skills into jobs and innovation into measurable economic value. The findings show that by building pan-European innovation ecosystems through its KICs, the EIT generates strong financial leverage and delivers economic and societal benefits. At a time of intense global competition, Europe benefits from this ecosystem-based approach to innovation.’ 
## Download the Impact report factsheet ## (https://www.eit.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2026-02/260217_EIT%20Impact%20Study-Factsheet_V8.pdf) 
* ABOUT THE EUROPEAN INSTITUTE OF INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY (EIT) *
The EIT strengthens Europe’s ability to innovate by powering solutions to pressing global challenges and by nurturing entrepreneurial talent to create sustainable growth and skilled jobs in Europe. The EIT is an EU body and an integral part of ## Horizon Europe ## (https://ec.europa.eu/info/research-and-innovation/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe_en), the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. The Institute supports dynamic pan-European partnerships, EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities, among leading companies, research labs and universities. Currently ten EIT Knowledge & Innovation Communities are supported: ## Climate KIC ## (https://www.eit.europa.eu/our-communities/eit-climate-kic) (formerly EIT Climate-KIC), ## 28DIGITAL ## (https://www.eit.europa.eu/our-communities/eit-digital) (formerly EIT Digital), ## Innoenergy ## (https://www.eit.europa.eu/our-communities/eit-innoenergy) (formerly EIT InnoEnergy), ## EIT Health ## (https://eit.europa.eu/our-communities/eit-health), ## EIT RawMaterials ## (https://eit.europa.eu/our-communities/eit-rawmaterials), ## EIT Food ## (https://eit.europa.eu/our-communities/eit-food), ## EIT Manufacturing ## (https://eit.europa.eu/our-communities/eit-manufacturing), ## EIT Urban Mobility ## (https://eit.europa.eu/our-communities/eit-urban-mobility), ## EIT Culture & Creativity ## (http://eit-culture-creativity.eu/) and ## EIT Water ## (https://www.eit.europa.eu/our-activities/call-for-eit-communities/eit-water). Together with their leading partners, the EIT Community offers a wide range of innovation and entrepreneurship activities across Europe: entrepreneurial education courses, business creation and acceleration services and innovation driven research projects.