24 defining moments in 2024 to remember

Startup and scaleup innovation and support

1. Three Luxembourg startups join first scaleup programme (January)
   Luxinnovation began the year by announcing three startups selected for its scaleup programme: Circu Li-ion, Arspectra, and Leko Labs. This pilot initiative, launched by the Ministry of the Economy and managed by Luxinnovation, supports advanced-stage startups with ambitions for accelerated growth and international expansion.
2. 15 Startups Graduate from Fit 4 Start #14 (June)
   The 2024 Fit 4 Start Graduate Showcase, held at Luxexpo The Box alongside the Nexus 2050 event, celebrated 15 startups that successfully completed the 14th edition of the startup acceleration programme managed by Luxinnovation.
3. Luxembourg Venture Days 2024 (October)
   Around 2,500 participants attended this unique event co-organised by Luxinnovation, connecting startups and investors. The 20 startups for Fit 4 Start #15 were also announced.

European and international impact

4. International recognition for Fit 4 Start and LCI (March)
   The Fit 4 Start programme and the Luxembourg City Incubator were recognised by the Financial Times and Statista as leading European startup hubs in 2024.
5. Luxembourg Joins NATO’s DIANA network (April)
   The DIANA network ensures that the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation harnesses the best of dual-use innovation for transatlantic defence and security. This feat was achieved through a collaboration between the Directorate of Defence and Luxinnovation.
6. National contact point for the European Innovation Fund (June)
   Luxinnovation was designated as the national contact point for this €40 billion European fund, one of the most important financial instruments in the world dedicated to projects to decarbonise industry through innovative technologies.
7. Luxembourg selected for European AI Factories (December)
   Luxembourg will host one of the first European “AI factories” in 2025. Luxinnovation’s role will be to support companies in identifying innovation opportunities in AI.

New milestones: health, manufacturing, AI and mobility

8. Launch of Dataspace 4 Health (March)
   The Dataspace 4 Health project to revolutionise secure and compliant health data exchange, and supported by several Luxembourg-based partners was announced.
9. Virtual lab for materials and manufacturing community (May)
   Luxinnovation introduced a virtual laboratory fostering expertise and resource sharing among sector stakeholders.
10. Accelerating market access for digital health solutions (May)
    The European Digital Health Conference co-organised by Luxinnovation brought together around 400 stakeholders to discuss simplified access to the European market for digital health companies.
11. Announcement of a new Fit 4 programme (July)
    During the press conference presenting the results of LXI’s work in 2023, a new programme focused on artificial intelligence was announced alongside measures for SMEs. 
12. Inauguration of the Automobility Incubator (December)
    Located north of Luxembourg City, the new facility is dedicated to innovative companies (startups/scaleups and spinoffs), as well as to SMEs and international companies in the mobility sector.

Collaboration and partnerships

13. LuxDev and Luxinnovation strengthen collaboration (June)
    The two agencies signed a letter of intent to strengthen their partnership over a five-year period in the context of the Business Partnership Facility, as well as other co-financing mechanism managed by LuxDev involving private companies or public research bodies in Luxembourg.
14. Strengthening ties with Western Romania (October)
    A memorandum of understanding was signed between Luxinnovation and the Regional Development Agency of Western Romania to formalise cooperation between the two organisations.

Funding accomplishments

15. 10 Luxembourg projects selected for the European Defence Fund (May)
    10 Luxembourg projects were among the 54 joint European R&D projects selected in 2023 for the European Defence Fund. Luxembourg had the 5th best success rate in the European Union.
16. Significant support for Ukrainian startups with Seeds of Bravery (June & October)
    The European consortium supporting Ukrainian startups, which includes Luxinnovation, unveiled the first 14 recipients for funding. An additional €1.2 million was awarded to 38 Ukrainian technology startups later in the year.
17. Seven projects selected for 5G joint call (November)
    Seven projects focusing on 5G technologies and with a total estimated budget of €10.5 million were selected. The process was launched in 2023 by the Ministry of the Economy, the Luxembourg National Research Fund and Luxinnovation. 
18. Record success for Luxembourg in Horizon Europe (December)
    Luxembourg approached a record €200 million in funding under Horizon Europe. With three more years left, it will soon surpass its Horizon 2020 funding total for seven years.

Energy transition and sustainability

19. Study on energy transition research capabilities in Luxembourg (February)
    Experts at the national innovation agency assessed the capabilities of Luxembourg's public research organisations for energy transition, identifying 87 active groups in this field.
20. Promotion of renewable hydrogen (October)
    A €110 million budget was earmarked by the Ministry of the Economy to support renewable hydrogen production. The call for projects, open until 25 February 2025, is part of the government's strategy to support the energy transition and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Luxinnovation can support interested applicants.

Ecosystem analysis and insights 

21. Trends in supercomputing and AI (October)
    A new Luxinnovation brochure highlighted trends in supercomputing and AI to help businesses leverage these technologies.
22. Promoting innovation in advanced materials (October)
    Luxinnovation’s European funding experts published a report to help researchers and innovators in the field of advanced materials align their work with European policies and initiatives.
23. Updated mapping of the manufacturing ecosystem (November)
    Luxinnovation published a new manufacturing mapping providing fresh insights into this key component of the national economy.

Announcement of next Luxinnovation CEO

24. Mario Grotz to lead the national innovation agency (December)  
    Chair of the Board of Directors of Luxinnovation since 2018, Mario Grotz will succeed Sasha Baillie as CEO of Luxinnovation starting in March 2025.