From lab to launch: UfM supports researchers to bring innovation to market
9-10 September 2026, Barcelona, Spain – The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), in partnership with the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), has launched the first cohort of the Research2Business (R2B) Programme with a two-day Bootcamp hosted at StartUB!, the University of Barcelona’s entrepreneurship hub.
The regional programme aims to strengthen research commercialisation across the Mediterranean by supporting research teams in transforming applied knowledge and scientific discoveries into viable, market-ready innovations. Through structured commercialisation support, mentoring, expert guidance, regional ecosystem engagement, and links to collaboration and funding opportunities, R2B seeks to bridge the gap between research and entrepreneurship.
The programme is aligned with the UfM Research and Innovation agenda and the 2022 UfM Ministerial Declaration on Research and Innovation. It is led by Berytech, in partnership with ANIMA Investment Network and the University of Barcelona, with FIAP also contributing to the programme’s regional ecosystem and cooperation efforts.
The first cohort brought together 15 research projects and 23 participants from seven Southern and Eastern Mediterranean countries, including Morocco, Lebanon, Egypt, Tunisia, Palestine, Algeria, and Jordan. The participating teams worked across three thematic areas: health; agri-food; and water, energy, and climate.
The Bootcamp was opened by Petra Kežman, Deputy Secretary General for Human Development at the Union for the Mediterranean, together with representatives of AECID and the programme partners. She stated: “Bridging research with markets and policymaking is not only an economic necessity; it is a shared political imperative for building a more resilient Mediterranean.”
Presenting the background of the R2B initiative, Giuseppe Provenzano, Project Manager for Higher Education and Research, remarked how the Mediterranean does not lack talent or scientific excellence. The programme is designed to empower researchers to turn scientific breakthroughs into real innovations and sustainable businesses.
Over the two days, participants worked on key elements of the entrepreneurial and commercialisation process. Particular emphasis was placed on helping research teams assess the viability of their ideas.
The Bootcamp also provided opportunities for direct exchange between the participating teams and members of the programme’s Steering Committee and experts, allowing the researchers to receive feedback and guidance relevant to their commercialisation journey. The programme also fostered connections with potential partners and actors within the Mediterranean innovation ecosystem.
The Bootcamp marks the beginning of a longer support process for the first cohort. Participants will continue working through a remote mentoring, expert guidance, and training phase.
The R2B Programme will continue with a new Cohort to be launched in 2027, extending the programme’s support to additional research teams from across the Mediterranean.
