Driving systemic change in European industries by fostering mission-oriented, tech powered social innovations to build low-carbon, circular, and resilient value chains.
Funds granted
Social innovations supported
Pre-market demonstrations established
Embedding social innovation and technologies into industrial value chains
In recent years, society has faced an accelerating number of global crises—climate change, resource depletion, and social inequalities—that demand urgent transformation. Industry, sitting at the very core of the economy, plays a critical role in this shift.
But achieving resilient, sustainable, low-carbon industries requires more than incremental changes. It demands systems change: new models, new partnerships, and new governance. SoTecIn Factory, a Horizon Europe initiative, responds to this urgency by connecting industry with society through a dynamic community of mission-driven social innovators.
As a key partner in SoTecIn Factory, the Impact Hub Network strengthens the bridge between industry and society by cultivating a vibrant European network of experts and social innovators. Through its seven regional Hubs, Impact Hub delivers a nine-month capacity-building programme designed to equip innovators with the skills and support needed to drive systemic change. The journey culminates in a hybrid pitch day, connecting these innovators with investors and unlocking opportunities to scale solutions for more resilient, sustainable industries.
Programme results
sales generated by ventures over the project’s duration
raised by participating ventures during the project period
strategic partnerships established with ventures, challenge owners, and market validators
SoTecIn Factory Missions
Led by Laboratório Instituto de Engenharia de Sistemas e Computadores, Tecnologia e Ciência (INESC TEC, Portugal), the project involves six European Partners from six countries, including research and innovation institutes as well as global community networks. Its focus: strengthening circularity in 4 out of 7 product value chains prioritised by the European Union Circular Economy Action Plan:
- Food, water & nutrients
- Textiles
- Plastics
- Packaging
How it works
Regional hubs
7 hubs across Europe act as conveners, bringing together diverse stakeholders.
Co-created missions
Through a bottom-up process, stakeholders design shared value-chain challenges.
Innovation support
Social innovators are empowered to test, demonstrate, and scale solutions addressing circularity challenges.
SoTecIn Factory’s framework for mission-oriented collaboration, helping diverse stakeholders embrace stewardship ownership and co-create meaningful, lasting change.
Our partners in change
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