How can knowledge be transferred from research to application more quickly? And how can small and medium-sized enterprises in the Ruhr region better benefit from international innovation networks?

This is exactly where FITS3 – Fostering Long-term Innovation Transfer in S3-Networks A.

For SMEs, access to current research findings, new technologies, and international cooperation opportunities is often a challenge. FITS3 aims to close this gap and bring innovations to where they can have an impact more quickly: into business practice.

This isn't just about initiating individual collaborations. FITS3 aims to create sustainable structures for knowledge and technology transfer – through workshops, matchmaking, international exchange formats, and concrete innovation projects between companies, research institutions, and technology centres.

Together with the Ruhr Business Metropolis as Lead Partner, who Bochum Economic Development Agency and the Bio-Security Management Ltd work as TechnologyCentreDortmund (TZDO) to strengthen this very transfer in the long term.

The focus is on three future fields of high relevance to the region:

🔐 Cybersecurity
🚚 Logistics & Artificial Intelligence
🌱 Bioeconomy

With the Presentation of the grant award letter on 22 July 2026 by the District President of Düsseldorf Thomas Schürmann An important first milestone has now been reached. By 31.05.2029 together with our partners, we have the opportunity to initiate concrete projects, forge new connections, and further expand the transfer between science and industry.

We look forward to working together within the project consortium and to helping shape new knowledge transfer and collaboration projects based in Dortmund.

 

Photo: Business Metropole Ruhr