Open call for member collaboration: HORIZON Enhancing synergies between the EIC and Startup Europe

If you are a member of the EU|BIC community and are interested in this call and looking for partners, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Livia Marcantonio and Ruben Carrandi.

– The European Innovation Council (EIC) is seeking to build synergies with the wider European startup ecosystem via the second wave of actions under the Commission’s Startup Europe initiative.

HORIZON-EIC-2022-STARTUPEU-01 calls for actions that will connect local digital and deep tech startup ecosystems, support cross-border acceleration activities for the scaling up of European digital and deep tech startups, and contribute to strengthening the European innovation ecosystem.

Projects should:

• target digital and deep tech startups willing to scale up in Europe, including startups that have already received private investment or EU funding (e.g. under Horizon Europe or the Digital Europe Programme).
• raise the awareness of startups about the opportunities offered by Commission programmes, in particular the EIC.
• contribute to the scale-up of startups proposing digital applications that foster climate neutrality, circular economy, clean industry and user-centric technology development, while also encouraging inclusiveness, and incorporating European social and ethical values.

Scope: To connect local digital and deep tech startup ecosystems and support cross-border acceleration activities for startups. Special attention will be given to supporting digital and deep tech startups and scaleups, wherever they are situated in Europe, to access innovation procurement opportunities (public or corporate procurers).

Expected outcomes: (i) Increasing the market footprint of European Startups in strategic digital technologies and deep tech innovation; (ii) Better connection of EIC-supported startups and Seal of Excellence holders to relevant local and/or European ecosystems and communities; (iii) A scaling up of capabilities in matching technology solutions developed by highly innovative EU-funded digital and deep tech startups with investment and growth opportunities including, but not limited to, EIC, InvestEU, Digital Europe Programme, innovation procurement, investors and corporate innovation ventures.

Eligible entities: Startup ecosystem builders, business angel organisations, venture capital entities, accelerators, incubators, and startup associations.

Budget available: € 6 million (3 – 4 projects will be funded)

If you are a member of the EU|BIC community and are interested in this call and looking for partners, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Livia Marcantonio and Ruben Carrandi.