By Digital Education Council
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May 19, 2026
This report provides a structured approach to help institutions measure, benchmark, and articulate the outcomes of their innovation and entrepreneurship activities.
Higher education plays a unique role in the innovation landscape by continuously innovating in education while nurturing entrepreneurship. However, a key challenge remains: the lack of a consistent, comprehensive framework to measure impact.
The Higher Education Innovation Impact Compass, developed by the DEC 2025 Startups & Innovation Working Group in collaboration with 13 institutions worldwide, addresses this gap by providing a structured approach to help institutions measure, benchmark, and articulate the outcomes of their innovation and entrepreneurship activities.
The report explores innovation metrics across three higher-education-specific dimensions:
It offers a practical tool for leaders to assess performance and strengthen strategic decision-making.