The European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) is an independent institution of the European Union, founded in 2008 to promote innovation and entrepreneurship across Europe. Since 2014, the network initiative has also been active in the field of health. EIT Health is currently working with around 130 members in a “public-private partnership” to find solutions to the major healthcare challenges of our time. Leading companies, public institutions as well as renowned universities and research institutions are working together with start-ups and SMEs in innovative programmes and projects to develop new products and services that promote a sustainable health economy in Europe. One focus the organisation is also to close the gap between regions that are leaders in innovation and those regions which are still progressing. EIT Health Innostars is therefore driving activities in Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Romania.
In 2022, EIT Health has opened a new hub with 15 Partners in Austria: EIT Health Austria, headquartered in Vienna.