EIT and Malta Sign New Memorandum of Understanding to Strengthen Innovation Cooperation

A key moment at yesterday’s EIT Innovation Awards ceremony in Budapest was the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) and the Government of Malta. The agreement paves the way for launching the EIT Regional Innovation Booster pilot in Malta from 2026, further strengthening cooperation and supporting the country’s innovation ecosystem.

The EIT Regional Innovation Booster (EIT RIB) is a new flagship initiative that provides targeted support to startups and scaleups in modest and moderate innovator countries. Its aim is to help promising ventures grow towards commercial success, access international markets, and attract further investment.

With Malta now joining the initiative — following Poland’s entry in May 2025 — the three-stage EIT RIB pilot in Malta will link up with existing national support schemes, provide dedicated funding and mentoring, and offer Maltese innovators a clear pathway from early idea development to internationalisation. The EIT plans to allocate at least €30 million to the whole EIT RIB pilot phase until 2028.

We are delighted that Malta joined the EIT Regional Innovation Booster pilot. We appreciate this recognition of the value of the EIT’s innovation ecosystem in accelerating the growth of start-ups with high innovation potential. It gives Maltese innovators a tool to expand internationally and receive the support of the whole EIT Community, ensuring innovative solutions can scale and make an impact.

Martin Kern, director of the EIT

This new Xjenza Malta initiative is very important for Malta as it will offer guidance, funding and expert advice to make ideas commercially viable and ready for internationalisation. Overall, it’s about helping Malta’s innovators go from lab results to commercialisation.

Silvio Scerri, CEO at Xjenza Malta, the government agency for coordinating research, innovation, and science communication

Strong Results to Date 

EIT activity in Malta has expanded significantly in recent years: 

• Since 2021, the EIT has committed over €3.4 million in grants to Maltese entities across seven Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs).
• Around one-third of this funding directly supports Maltese small and medium-sized enterprises.
• Until the end of 2024, the EIT helped create and support 31 ventures in Malta, introduced three innovations to the market and provided 759 Maltese participants with entrepreneurial and deep-tech skills training.
• Eleven Maltese partners are currently active in the EIT KICs – the highest rate per capita among all participating countries.
• Since its launch in 2024, the EIT Community Hub Malta has served as a central gateway, linking Maltese innovators, entrepreneurs, and institutions with funding, training, and Europe-wide collaboration opportunities across the EIT Community. 

Malta’s participation in EIT activities is estimated to be twice as high as its participation rate in Horizon Europe, underscoring how accessible and relevant EIT programmes are for local innovators. 

Example of EIT-Backed Success: Greenroads 

A strong example of this growing impact is Greenroads, a Maltese startup that uses AI and real-time data to help cities improve road safety and manage traffic more efficiently. The company received early financial support and mentoring from Climate KIC and EIT Urban Mobility, which enabled the team to develop their technology, expand beyond Malta and deliver projects such as the city of Ghent’s smart-mobility pilot through the EIT Urban Mobility RAPTOR programme. The company’s trajectory shows how EIT support can help Maltese innovators scale their solutions and compete across Europe.

A Platform for Long-Term Impact 

The new MoU ensures that Malta now has a stable platform and a direct gateway into Europe’s innovation networks. This strengthened cooperation is intended to deliver lasting economic and societal benefits for Malta and the wider European community. Learn more about the Regional Innovation Booster.

Read the press release