The ZEEUS consortium brings together an exceptional group of higher education institutions and industrial partners committed to sustainable innovation.
Led by Trinity College Dublin (TCD), the project involves ISEC Lisbon, Stellenbosch University (South Africa), Prague University of Economics and Business (VSE) and Trier University of Applied Sciences (TUAS) in Germany. Each partner brings with them solid experience in entrepreneurship, sustainability and digital transformation.
The consortium is reinforced by strategic partners such as ANJE, Luvent Consulting and Babele, responsible for leveraging business networks, technological knowledge and collaborative platforms.
Together, these actors form a North-South alliance that connects Europe and Africa through innovation, education and social impact.
This diversity of geographies and skills makes ZEEUS a model of global collaboration for the future of higher education.
About the partners:
Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin
Trinity College Dublin (TCD) is recognised internationally as Ireland's leading university and is ranked in 81st position by the QS World University Rankings 2024. It is home to 18,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students across all the major disciplines in the arts and humanities, business, law, STEM, and health sciences, and ranked #12 in the ‘most international universities’ (THE 2022). TCD is a member of the prestigious League of European Research Universities (LERU). ‘Portal’, Trinity’s Innovation and Enterprise Unit, will co-ordinating TCD’s activities on ZEEUS. Portal is a professional gateway for partnering and co-location with world class researchers, new talent, innovators and entrepreneurs. It offers talent development programmes that are designed to help organisations and individuals develop new thinking and practice; to shape their future and recognise the opportunities therein. Portal offers open courses, in-house training, masterclasses, summer schools, accelerators and boot-camps in the areas of creativity, innovation, design skills and corporate entrepreneurship.
ANJE - National Association of Young Entrepreneurs
ANJE - National Association of Young Entrepreneurs is a leading organisation in promoting young entrepreneurship in Portugal. Founded in 1986, it supports the creation and development of companies through training, incubation, mentoring and networking, promoting innovation and competitiveness.
Babele
Babele is a technology and consulting company, founded in 2013, which works in the fields of collective intelligence, business modeling and social impact. We have pioneered application of open strategies and collaborative business modeling, providing our products & services to universities, incubators, networks and corporations spread across 6 continents. Our work is split in 3 activities: Innovation Tools: we provide tailored online collaborative platforms to manage innovation programs and effectively engage stakeholders; Innovation Programs: We design launch and manage intrapreneurship, corporate innovation, and startup acceleration programs; Training and Education: We hold bootcamps and workshops on design-thinking to Lean Startup, social business modeling, reinventing organizations and growth hacking. The mission of the company is to enable the participation and engagement of stakeholders (citizens, civil society and CSR driven companies, etc) in the development of social-good projects and businesses.
ISEC Lisboa
The Instituto Superior de Educação e Ciências – ISEC Lisboa, founded 33 years ago and located in the heart of Lisbon, is a higher education institution focused on multiple fields of knowledge. Its academic offerings include programs in technology, data science, communication and marketing, design, civil protection, tourism, and hospitality. We believe that high-quality education relies on the integration of theoretical knowledge with practical application. That is why we foster a learning experience that encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and research, preparing our students for a path of lifelong learning.
Luvent Consulting
Luvent Consulting GmbH, based in Berlin, Germany, is a global development consulting firm that provides innovative solutions to address pressing economic, social, and environmental challenges. The company specialises in research and innovation, private sector engagement, climate action, and digitalisation, supporting governments, donors, and development partners with strategic, technical, and operational expertise. Since 2024, Luvent has been part of the Chemonics International Inc. group of companies, combining Luvent’s thematic knowledge and regional experience with Chemonics’ global infrastructure and extensive sectoral reach. This partnership enables Luvent to operate through a strong international network of experts and regional hubs across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe. Luvent has delivered a wide range of development projects in numerous countries worldwide, including fragile and transitioning contexts, and has contributed to multiple Climate-KIC initiatives. The company works with a diverse group of stakeholders - from public institutions and governments to MSMEs and academic organisations - providing tailored support in entrepreneurship, climate resilience, and digital transformation. Its clients include the European Union, the African Development Bank, Climate-KIC, GIZ, KfW, and other leading development actors.
Stellenbosch University (SU)
With our African roots and global reach, Stellenbosch University (SU) has grown into a true asset to South Africa, our continent and beyond over more than a century. We combine world-class knowledge production and cutting-edge technological innovation to be a thriving, transformative and systemically sustainable university. Our relevant, impactful research makes us ever more agile and responsive to the needs of society, enabling us to confront the complex challenges of our country, region and the globe. Future-fit, inclusive and collaborative, we are moving forward, together.
Trier University of Applied Sciences of Trier (TUAS)
With around 7,000 students, Trier University of Applied Sciences (TUAS) is the second largest university for applied sciences in Rhineland-Palatinate. A strong focus on application and practice, innovative teaching methods, and the strong combination of teaching and research characterize our studies. On three campuses we offer 80 degree programmes in the fields of Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Building and Supply Engineering, Food Technology, Computer Science, Games, Therapy Sciences, Economics, Law, Environmental Studies, Architecture, and Design, thus presenting a diverse educational programme unique in the region. The Institute for Applied Material Flow Management (IfaS), established in 2001 at TUAS, is Germany's largest university-based material flow management think tank, leading sustainability efforts globally. Based at the zero-emission Environmental Campus Birkenfeld (ECB), IfaS specializes in optimizing resource flows –biomass, water, waste, and energy– through circular economy models, zero-emission strategies, and decarbonization initiatives. Globally recognized, including a top ranking in the 2024 UI GreenMetric, IfaS partners with institutions across Europe, Asia, and Africa to address environmental challenges and build capacity in developing regions, guided by the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
VSE - Prague University of Economics and Business
Founded in 1953, VŠE is a leading Czech university focused on economics, business, management, and IT. With over 16,000 students and triple accreditation (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA), it ranks among top business schools. VŠE is active in research and international projects, offering real-world solutions and embracing innovation.
