VERSE brings together diverse partners committed to empowering young innovators and fostering sustainable change.
Confindustria Toscana Servizi is the service provider of the regional branch of Confindustria (the main employers’ association in Italy) and a certified VET provider. CTS has a 25 years long experience in training and mentoring for innovation the personnel of the regional small and larìge industries. In the past decade, the activities have chiefly revolved around 1. Digital literacy and the introduction of advanced technological packages 2. The construction of effective business models for all strands of industry, enterprises and start-ups and 3. Sustainable reconversion of the supply chain for the regional SMEs. CTS regularly works with the fashion brands active in Tuscany and can count on the regional network of SMEs associated with Confindustria (5000). CTS is also affiliated to Enterprise Europe Network, the business network of the European Commission.
ESMOD, the oldest school of fashion design in the world, was established in Paris in 1841. Known for its emphasis on technical skills, pattern making, and specialized craftsmanship, ESMOD has grown to include 22 schools across 13 countries. This global presence enables the school to nurture and showcase talented individuals on a worldwide stage. ESMOD offers a diverse array of design disciplines, ranging from classic to haute couture, and covers all facets of the fashion industry, including entrepreneurship, marketing, communications, and sales. In recent years, ESMOD has prioritized innovation and sustainability, establishing itself as a forward-thinking industry leader through collaborations and international initiatives. Renowned for its expertise in organizing fashion shows, ESMOD hosts five shows annually in France and 17 abroad. The school’s excellence in event management was recognized when it was chosen as an ERASMUS partner for the organization of the show to commemorate their 30th anniversary.
The Polytechnic University of Cávado and Ave (IPCA), founded in 1994, is the most recent Public HEI in Portugal with six dynamic Schools in the areas of Design, Management, Technology, Hospitality & Tourism, and Sports and Well-being. Since November 2020, IPCA is a member of the European university RUN-EU+ Regional University Network, with seven HEI in Europe. IPCA’s Schools of Design and School of Management will participate in this project, providing experience in design and economy research, in the dialogue with society towards knowledge transfer, and the impact of design in society and economy.
Institute of Entrepreneurship Development (iED) is an award-winning Greek non-profit organisation committed to the promotion of innovation and the enhancement of the entrepreneurial spirit. Established in 2005, in Larissa, Greece, iED is a certified leading Center of Excellence in European entrepreneurship and a fast-growing Digital Innovation Hub, registered as a member of the European Commission’s catalog of DIHs.
Established in the late 19th century, DUT stands as the oldest institution of higher learning in the Dnipropetrovs’k region of Ukraine. With a student body exceeding 14,000, the university boasts a faculty of over 500 educators, among whom are more than 100 professors and 300 associate professors. DUT offers a comprehensive academic program encompassing technical and humanitarian studies, nurturing skilled professionals across various fields. The university operates through 47 departments spanning 10 faculties, along with post-graduate and doctoral programs, research units, an Interdisciplinary Institute of Lifelong Learning, cultural and linguistic centers, and more. DUT is actively engaged in several international educational and scientific associations, including EUA, BSUN, EAGE, IUR, IGIP, SEFI, WMC, and WFURS. DUT also conducts programs in continuing education and has a vast experience of international projects. Partners to this project will be Information Technology, Electric Drive, and Mechanical Engineering Departments. Besides the international prestige of the academic staff, the choice of Mechatronics is due to the high relevance of the discipline for this project. Mechatronics combines a set of disciplines that form the technological background of any contemporary industry and that students of fashion, design and business would seldom encounter. These are: engineering, automation, digital issues, including machine learning etc.
Association of Industries of Thessaly and Central Greece is the main Union organisation of manufacturing companies in the Greek regions of Thessaly and Sterea Ellada and a dynamic association at national level. Through its scientific departments and its extended network, which includes the regional companies and the EEN, it provides high quality services such as business development, access to finance, partnership opportunities, innovation and technology transfer to industrial SMEs of all sectors of activity, start-ups and services. In 2022, the association’s management launched the Act and Grow 25 initiative. The AITCG has formed eight different working groups, bringing together members of the administration as well as AITCG staff. The aim is to analyse the needs of local SMEs in order to provide advice, tools, funding opportunities and training to support their development. The groups’ topics include sustainability, digitalisation, internationalisation, infrastructure, environmental and energy policies. More specifically, the mandate of the Sustainability working group is to map the current situation of Greek SMEs in relation to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the European Green Deal.
APSU (Portuguese Association of Start-Ups) aims to promote entrepreneurship and contribute to a sustainable and innovative economy. Their mission is to encourage the development of entrepreneurship and the creation of employment through a combination of infrastructures and specialized support services. Supporting those who are already entrepreneurs with specific skills in the field of entrepreneurship, thus contributing to qualified entrepreneurship and high potential business, APSU will provide VERSE with the perspective of the entrepreneurs and the micro-enterprises.
TMG – is a renowned textile company founded in Portugal in 1937, boasts an impressive 80-year corporate history centered around innovation and value-driven practices. Recognized for its commitment to excellence in quality and technology, TMG stands out as a pioneer in the industry, holding certifications such as EN ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OKÖ-TEX, GOTS, NP 4397, NP 4457:2007, and IATF 16949:2016. With a strong emphasis on sustainability, TMG is dedicated to eco-friendly initiatives, utilizing organic materials, minimizing waste, and upholding ethical production standards. By prioritizing environmental protection alongside the creation of top-notch and stylish textile products, TMG sets itself apart in the market
BRAINSHOT S.A.F.E. is a cutting-edge fashion social enterprise that merges Sustainability, Art, Fashion, and Education to drive social change and environmental impact. Their unique hybrid art space located in Athens, Greece, blends physical and digital elements, and serves as a hub for creativity, dialogue, and advocacy. With a focus on inclusivity, diversity, and social justice, BRAINSHOT design sustainable fashion collections and implement educational programs to empower communities and strive for a more equitable and sustainable society. BRAINSHOT S.A.F.E. is committed to fostering creative expression while actively working towards a fairer and greener future
VVC is a pioneering textile company specialised in quality control equipment for textile and leather, working in the sector for 25 years. In the past two years they have focused their activity on the innovation and digitalization of the textile industry in France and Europe. VVC provides scan service of materials and characterization of physical properties in order to create a digital twin. The company is also the exclusive distributor for France of the 3D printing machine Techstyle J850 from STRATASYS.
