Scaling European Innovation – EU|BIC Impact in 2025 – EBN

The Greece-Türkiye Hackathon 2024–2025, organised by EU|BIC Associate Bilişim Vadisi and EU|BIC Athens Startup Business Incubator (Th.E.A), is a cross-border initiative uniting young innovators aged 18–35 from both countries under the theme “Together for a Sustainable Future.” Focused on smart cities, the hackathon addressed common challenges such as urban mobility, disaster prevention, energy efficiency, and waste management. With support from public authorities and chambers of commerce, it received over 2,200 applications, forming 20 mixed-nationality teams of eight participants. Designed as a replicable model, the hackathon fosters collaboration while offering a structured yet flexible learning environment through mentorship, workshops, and milestone-based development.

The hackathon had a strong social and innovation impact by strengthening Greek-Turkish cooperation and generating practical, scalable solutions to regional sustainability issues. Winning teams were awarded six-month incubation placements and financial support to turn their concepts into real ventures. One standout project, EcoMaris, is developing a marina decarbonisation solution using wave energy and carbon capture. Thanks to continued mentoring and support, the team secured investment interest and began strategic partnerships, highlighting the hackathon’s success in bridging ideas and market opportunities. The initiative not only inspired youth-driven innovation but also fostered long-term relationships and mutual understanding between neighbouring countries.

Scaling Globally, Anchored in Europe

Europe is home to a growing wave of ambitious startups, but too many struggle to scale. Market fragmentation, regulatory divergence, and limited capital access often drive founders to relocate abroad. A 2024 CEPA study revealed that a significant share of European scaleups move to the U.S. in search of growth funding and more favourable market conditions.

This trend threatens Europe’s strategic autonomy and its ambition to lead in global tech.

EU|BIC Impact in 2024

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EBN and the EU|BIC community are reversing this trajectory. We equip innovators to scale across borders—without leaving Europe. Through our pan-European network, soft-landing services, and cross-border support tools, we help startups expand internationally while staying rooted in European ecosystems. By aligning local support with global ambition, we unlock access to new markets, capital, and infrastructure, ensuring Europe’s innovators grow at home and lead on the world stage.

Towards Green Economy is BIC Euronova’s flagship initiative to accelerate the growth of GreenTech startups and foster a sustainable, low-carbon economy with both local and global impact.

Rooted in Málaga — a city fast emerging as a European hub for sustainability and innovation — the programme connects early-stage companies with the tools, networks, and capital needed to scale beyond borders. Its success has helped BIC Euronova earn recognition as the 22nd strongest startup hub in Europe and the second best in Spain, according to the Financial Times, showcasing how EU|BICs can close the innovation gap between smaller regions and major tech capitals.

The programme addresses a critical barrier for green startups: while many have promising solutions, they often lack the international exposure, strategic guidance, and funding necessary for growth. Towards Green Economy fills this gap by integrating structured acceleration, access to global markets, and real-world deployment. Startups benefit from partnerships with leading ecosystems such as SkyDeck (Silicon Valley), Draper University, Startup Chile, and the EU|BIC community. Success stories include Aliquindoi, which developed a circular economy ERP and secured $200K in investment after being fast-tracked into SkyDeck, and Ubora Solar, which grew its revenue fivefold and helped BIC Euronova reduce its energy consumption by 40%.

Underpinned by methodologies from MIT and close collaboration with the University of Málaga, the programme combines academic rigour with commercial viability. Startups gain exposure to top-tier investors like Sequoia and a16z, while their solutions are tested and deployed in real environments. With an 80% five-year survival rate for incubated companies and growing international partnerships, Towards Green Economy positions Málaga not just as a vibrant local ecosystem but as a launchpad for scalable, sustainability-driven innovation across Europe and beyond.