Strengthening cross-regional cooperation
MCI | The Entrepreneurial School® has been accepted for the Interreg project MOZART ("Maximizing Opportunities for Startups and Investors through Regional Zenith of Innovation"), a project that strengthens cross-border cooperation between Austria and Northern Italy in the field of innovation and entrepreneurship. In this project, MCI is part of an impressive consortium that includes established players from business, public institutions, and academia. Through this initiative, MCI will be instrumental in strengthening the connections and synergies between startups, investors, and academic institutions.
The MOZART project aims to promote a strong and sustainable cross-border innovation network for start-ups and innovation stakeholders. At its core is the development of an internationally oriented, dynamic ecosystem that connects start-ups, investors, researchers, entrepreneurs, mentors, and coaches from multiple countries.
Start-ups, companies, researchers, investors, mentors, and coaches from various nations are working together in the MOZART project to build a strong international innovation network. The goal: to create better framework conditions for young companies to bring new products, services, and technologies to market faster.
A variety of actions are being implemented within the project, including:
- Benchmarking & Analysis: Conducting comparative analyses of innovative ecosystems, with concrete recommendations for action and a strategic roadmap.
- International Knowledge Exchange: Peer-learning workshops and presentation of project results for shared use.
- Community Events: Organizing interregional events for networking and exchange.
- Academy Concept: Planning and structuring topic-specific educational programs for start-ups in the form of training courses and coaching.
- Female Founders Support: Dedicated programs to support female founders and women in leadership roles within the start-up ecosystem.
- ESG Education Program: Development and implementation of training formats on environmental, social, and corporate governance topics.
- Open Innovation Program: Designing and implementing an innovation call to collect forward-thinking solutions.
- Cooperation Projects: Promoting joint innovation processes through collaborative projects between companies and start-ups.
Benjamin Suitner, responsible for Startups & Entrepreneurship at MCI, emphasizes the importance of this initiative: "Our involvement in the MOZART project allows us to expand the area of startup support in a targeted manner and to supplement regional offerings. It offers a fantastic opportunity to strengthen cross-border networks and promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship that inspires students and society as a whole."
MCI is very optimistic about the collaboration in the MOZART project, ready to shape a future characterized by innovation, entrepreneurship, and cross-border cooperation together with the project partners.
Entrepreneurship & Startups at MCI
The MCI actively promotes the entrepreneurial development of students and researchers. In addition to academic training in various degree programs, the MCI offers support in initiating one's own entrepreneurial career. This includes orientation talks, coaching, mentoring, special training formats, financial support, and networking opportunities. These measures aim to strengthen innovation and entrepreneurial thinking within the MCI community and lay a solid foundation for future ventures. More information

Total project budget: €897,015.12
EU funding: €642,432.16
Budget share for MCI:
MCI’s total budget share: €189,862.50
EU funding: €151,890
