SPORTS AND HEALTH INNOVATION ACCELERATOR

Accelerating innovation in sport and health in Europe

Empowering the next generation of European entrepreneurs to foster a healthier and more resilient society.

THE PROBLEM

The Mismatch

The health and sports sectors are evolving rapidly, but innovation doesn’t reach the market fast enough.

There is a critical mismatch between academic research, vocational training, and actual industry needs. Startups face systemic barriers to access infrastructure and validation.

THE SOLUTION

SHIA creates

Training
curriculum

Equipping students and professionals with future-proof, accredited digital and entrepreneurial skills through challenge-based learning

Innovation
villages

Serving as physical and virtual living labs to prototype, validate, and scale digital sports and health solutions in real-world environments

Network
space

Connecting startups, academic researchers, and industry leaders across Europe to unlock cross-sectoral commercial opportunities

Policy recommendations

Providing evidence-based strategic roadmaps for EU and regional decision-makers to drive sustainable growth and active living

THE key

SHIA acts as a bridge

Between education & industry

Turning knowledge into market solutions.

Between health & sports

Creating integrated lifestyle solutions.

Between research & practice

Using scientific evidence to guide product development.

SHIA IN NUMBERS

Impact at a glance

EU Funding
0 M
Years
(Jan 2026-Dec 2028)
0
startups
accelerated
0 +
professionals
trained
0 +
European countries
involved
0

news & EVENTS

Latest news

Gemini_Generated_Image_167txm167txm167t
News
13. 07. 2026

Shape the Future of Sport, Health, and Entrepreneurship: Take Our Ecosystem Survey

Our new ecosystem survey is open. Whether you are building a startup, working with athletes, mentoring founders or shaping policy, your experience…
Three people gathered around a laptop, pointing at the screen
News
10. 06. 2026

Bridging the scaling gap: Key insights from the pan-European SHIA survey

How is innovation transforming Europe’s sport and health landscape? The SHIA project has compiled and analysed its benchmark ecosystem survey, drawing on…
SHIA consortium at the kick-off meeting, Spanish National Sports Council
News
27. 02. 2026

Sport and Health in Action: SHIA Project Launches to Bridge Gaps through Innovation

The SHIA (Sport and Health Innovation Accelerator) project officially held its kick-off meeting at the Spanish National Sports Council, bringing together a…

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