Something significant is happening in Alicante this May. EIT Culture & Creativity is bringing together the innovators, policymakers, and creative entrepreneurs who are defining the future of Europe's cultural and creative sectors, and the conversation starts at EUIPO.
At EIT Culture & Creativity, we believe that innovation in the cultural and creative sectors doesn't happen in isolation, it happens at the intersection of policy, intellectual property, technology, and entrepreneurship. Our upcoming Innovation Forum 2026 is a direct expression of that belief.
Held on 11–12 May in Alicante and hosted in collaboration with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), the forum gathers founders, policymakers, investors, IP experts, and creative technologists for two days of structured exchange, from high-level keynotes to hands-on working sessions.
Setting the Agenda for Creative Innovation in Europe
The forum is built around the challenges that actually hold creative businesses back. Why do promising CCSI ventures stall when they try to scale? How do IP frameworks support — or fail — creative practice in the age of generative AI? What does responsible, tech-driven cultural innovation look like in practice?
Parallel working tracks give participants space to move beyond diagnosis and into solutions, covering go-to-market pathways, IP as a strategic asset, and the governance of technology-driven cultural projects. A dedicated panel on content creators and generative AI, and a conversation on women leading innovation in design and creative technology, round out a programme that reflects where the sector genuinely is in 2026.
Access the full programme here:
Why this matters for the ecosystem
Forums like this one are where the European CCSI ecosystem builds shared language, identifies structural gaps, and starts conversations that turn into partnerships, pilots, and policy recommendations. The collaboration with EUIPO reflects our commitment to ensuring that intellectual property is not just a legal consideration for creative businesses, but a genuine driver of competitive advantage.
This event is open to our partners and extended network upon invitation. If your organisation is interested in attending or exploring ways to engage with EIT Culture & Creativity — as a partner, collaborator, or supporter - we'd love to hear from you.