From Research to Business: Turning Knowledge into Jobs, Innovation, and Growth
Malta, 13–15 October 2025. The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), with the support of the German Development Cooperation, organised the “From Research to Business” conference to advance research valorisation as a driver of innovation, job creation and sustainable growth across the region. Held in partnership with the European Commission and Xjenza Malta, with technical support from MIMIR, the event underscored the growing importance of translating scientific knowledge into marketable solutions and employment opportunities in the Mediterranean.
The opening session took place at the margins of the UfM High-Level Conference on Employment and Labour, which gathered over 200 participants. Opening remarks were delivered by Joan Borrell, UfM Deputy Secretary General for Higher Education and Research, Stefan Olsson, Deputy Director General at the European Commission, and Keith Azzopardi Tanti, Malta’s Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Research & Innovation. The participation of Byron Camilleri, Malta’s Minister for Home Affairs, Security and Employment, highlighted the close link between fostering innovation and enhancing employability in the region.
Among the featured speakers was Sara Sabry, astronaut and entrepreneur, who shared her personal insights on science-driven entrepreneurship and the transformative potential of research-led innovation.
On 14–15 October, the conference continued with interactive workshops involving over 50 participants representing academia, industry and policymakers.
The sessions showcased the strength of the Euro-Mediterranean innovation ecosystem, with discussions on commercialisation pathways, funding and legal frameworks, and academia–industry collaboration. Several successful regional initiatives, including PRIMA and Horizon Europe, were presented as examples of how cooperation in research and innovation is already contributing to sustainable development and economic diversification in the Mediterranean.
The event also served as a consultation platform for the UfM Research Scalability Strategy, a regional roadmap aimed at reinforcing innovation ecosystems and guiding the work of the UfM Regional Platform on Research and Innovation. The conference concluded with the announcement of the Research to Business initiative, sponsored by AECID, which will support Mediterranean researchers and innovators in 2026–2027 through dedicated capacity-building and matchmaking activities.
This series of events reaffirmed the region’s potential to translate knowledge into concrete opportunities for growth and employment, positioning research valorisation as a cornerstone of Mediterranean cooperation.
