In celebration of the fifth anniversary of Unite!, TU Darmstadt hosted a public conference themed “Inspiring People – Sparking Innovation”. The main aim of the event was to delve into the achievements and the potential of European Universities like Unite! – as sources of creative innovation for a sustainable future. The event also presented an exciting platform to showcase the importance of collaboration between research, innovation, and industry in addressing contemporary challenges.

The conference attracted around 500 participants from the Rhine-Main region and other Unite! universities from Finland to Portugal, including high-level representatives of the European Commission. It kicked off in a hybrid format with welcome notes by the hosts, followed by two panel discussions where researchers and students from Unite! exchanged ideas with partners from the region and beyond, to conclude with an inspirational lecture on collaborative spaces of inspiration. Short pitches and a poster exhibition showcased the diverse range of offerings, opportunities, and activities within Unite!.