GALACTICA consortium

AEI TÈXTILS is the Catalan technical textiles’ cluster with a non-profit association structure. Its mission is to promote innovation with the aim of improving the competitiveness of its members, as well as cooperation, complementarity and communication among them.

Its members comprise SMEs of the whole manufacturing chain of technical textiles, universities, research centers textile trade associations and other kind or organizations related to the field.

It works in 4 strategic lines: Innovation: Promoting cooperation amongst its members, increasing the taking on level of innovation support initiatives; promoting the participation of the Catalan technical textiles sector in technological cooperation European projects. Internationalization: Improving access to international markets; access to knowledge through international R&D and technological partners and access to research and key production infrastructures in third countries. Skills: Increasing the training of current employees and improving the level of qualifications and providing unique and specific training on technology and market in the technical textiles sector. Business development: Promoting the exchange of best practices amongst local enterprises; improving the image of the sector in Catalonia; promoting its strengths and capabilities to other manufacturing sectors of the territory.

Corallia is a multi-Cluster organisation, incubator and youth entrepreneurship accelerator established in 2005. Coordinates 3 innovation clusters with more than 170 members consisting of the most innovative enterprises, university labs and research institutes in their respective sectors – the si-Cluster (space technologies and applications); the mi-Cluster (nano/microelectronics-based systems and applications); the gi-Cluster (gaming and creative technologies) and is awarded with the Gold Label of Cluster Management Excellence.

Operates 2 thematic Business Innovation Centres (BICs) totaling more than 6.000 sqm: the α2-innohub and the π1-innohub. Implements a series of initiatives to stimulate youth entrepreneurship with partners and donors: the most prominent business accelerator in Greece, the egg – enter.grow.go (30+ start-ups every year) in cooperation with Eurobank, the Prince’s Trust International Enterprise Programme in Greece (BeYourOwnBoss) (150+ young entrepreneurs trained every year), the Educational Trip (20+ young leaders every year) in cooperation with student associations at highly acknowledged universities worldwide, Career Days, innovation contests such as Hackathons, etc.

Corallia is also awarded with an ISO 9001:2008 certificate by TUV NORD CERT and demonstrates strong engagement in European policy bodies and has established key-strategic international collaborations.

EBAN is the pan-European representative for the early stage investor community gathering over 150 member organizations in more than 50 countries today. Established in 1999 by a group of pioneer angel networks in Europe with the collaboration of the European Commission and EURADA, EBAN represents a sector estimated to invest 11.4 billion Euros a year and playing a vital role in Europe’s future, notably in the funding of SMEs. EBAN fuels Europe’s growth through the creation of wealth and jobs.

Next Technology Tecnotessile (NTT) is a national research company established in 1972; its capital is shared among circa 35 partners both public (Ministry of University and Research) and private (textile, textile machinery and industrial software Italian companies). NTT has a wide network of business with private industries, providing them technological and advanced services, and represents a reference point for research and technological innovation in the textile and textile machinery sectors, including, over the 35 industrial member and around 200 clients.

Since 2011 NTT is the leading managing body of OTIR2020 – Tuscany Fashion Cluster, a cluster organisation, working in fashion key sectors of the Tuscan manufacturing economy. OTIR2020 – TFC principal aims are the operational support in the innovation process and technology transfer in favour of local companies, providing technical assistance and support for the development of new R&D based projects.

Since January 2018, NTT is the owner of the CEQ Lab (Excellence and Quality Center) which is a branch specialised in testing and calibration services, able to offer accurate tests for manufacturing sectors like fashion, transportation, mechanics, furniture, metals, composites materials and others.

NTT conforms to the Quality System Standard ISO 9001: 2015.

Süderelbe AG is the economic and regional development company for the Southern Metropolitan Region of Hamburg. The head office is in the inner harbour of Harburg and there are two subsidiaries in Lüneburg and Lüchow-Dannenberg.

It serves as a highly expert point of contact for companies and municipalities. The company focuses on promoting the South Elbe Region as a business location, strengthening leading and future industries, and providing services to entrepreneurs and municipalities. The company, which covers multiple districts and federal states, initiates regional and economic development projects for several core sectors: the food industry, aerospace industry, and port & logistics. Süderelbe AG is likewise committed to fostering increased cooperation across local and municipal boundaries.