From 4th to 7th August 2025, the partners of the INGENIOUS consortium met in Greifswald, Germany, for the final study visit and closing meeting of the project. The gathering brought together representatives from across the partnership to reflect on achievements, exchange knowledge, and explore opportunities for sustaining cooperation beyond the project’s official end.

Hosted by WITENO GmbH (Wissenschafts- und Technologiepark Nordost), the programme offered valuable insights into regional innovation support structures. Participants were welcomed by CEO Florian Beuß, followed by presentations on two flagship initiatives: HGWomen, presented by Marie Möller, and BioBooster, presented by Dr. Gudrun Mernitz. Both cases demonstrated how targeted programmes can empower entrepreneurs, strengthen regional ecosystems, and drive innovation in a sustainable way.

The visit to WITENO’s branch office Digital Innovation centre provided a deeper understanding of the role technology centres play in fostering collaboration between research, business, and public stakeholders. These exchanges offered concrete inspiration for applying similar approaches within partner regions.

The consortium also visited Katapult, where Andreas Portugal introduced innovative approaches to communication and outreach, and the Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), where partners learned about cutting-edge plasma research and its applications in industry and society. These experiences showcased the breadth of expertise and ambition present in the Greifswald region and underlined the value of cross-sector cooperation.

The formal closing meeting served as both a review of the project’s outcomes and a forward-looking discussion on ensuring the sustainability of results. Partners emphasised the importance of maintaining the networks established during INGENIOUS and building on the methodologies and tools developed over the project’s lifetime.

By combining knowledge exchange, site visits, and strategic discussions, the study visit in Greifswald provided a fitting conclusion to the INGENIOUS project. It reinforced the consortium’s shared commitment to innovation, collaboration, and the creation of lasting impact across borders.