Building Bonds, Connecting Innovation
Europe’s leading innovation partner network, fast-tracking your connectivity and certifying your value
We believe that, in a world seeking to solve our global challenges, innovative entrepreneurs are the force for sustainable, economic development and greater wellbeing in our local regions.
Becoming a certified EU|BIC or joining the community as an Associate Member means responding to our mission with the best possible actions to create vibrant, thriving startups and SMEs. In other words, EU|BICs take real steps to ensure that their services are best advantageous to their client companies and best advantageous to their regions.
There are now more than 110 Certified EU|BICs and over 60 Associate members shaping our global community.
EBN (European Business and Innovation Centre Network) is the non-profit that facilitates this pan-European, global community of people using innovative business as a driver for regional (economic, sustainable, and social) development. EBN grants and manages the EU|BIC certification and many other innovation solutions for excellent business support actors like the EU|BICs.
© European Union, 2022
EU | BIC community
175+
members
Operating in over 35 countries, covering the full spectrum of innovation sectors, and collaborating for continuous improvement and increased impact.
630+
business experts & partners
Committed to the development and growth of entrepreneurial innovators, providing high-quality services to startups, spin-offs and SMEs.
36,000+
startups
Receive support from our members. Benefiting from expertise and programmes critical to their growth.
1
official certificate
Uniquely granted by EBN to mission-aligned organisations as the only certification of quality for business support organisations originated by the European Commission.
Build New Relationships
Fast-track your connectivity. When your organisation certifies as an EU|BIC you join a powerful community of business leaders, support practitioners and innovation partners expanding your reach within your local and international innovation ecosystems.
Improve Your Results
Getting certified and taking the yearly assessment is a powerful mechanism to help your company set goals for improvement, deliver more value to your clients and your ecosystem, and track performance over time. Members gain access to training, peers, technical assistance and funding opportunities.
Engage Trusted Partners
More than ever, people want to do engage with people and organisations they trust. The EU|BIC Certification and its trusted community are among the smartest ways to attract best-of-class clients, investment partners and to participate in revenue-generating projects that help you deliver on your mission.
Amplify Your Voice
The EU|BIC label communicates that your organisation is a verified business innovation leader when it comes to delivering quality business support and empowering entrepreneurial innovators. The third-party validation helps your organisation to stand out, and stand by your mission.
Smart solutions for all your innovation needs
News & events
May
14
2025
EBN is proud to strengthen its collaboration with the EUIPO, supporting EU|BICs and entrepreneurs across Europe in unlocking the value of intellectual property. As a key contributor to the Ideas Powered for Business SME Fund, EBN promotes strategic IP use to boost SME innovation, competitiveness, and growth.
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May
14
2025
The Greece-Türkiye Hackathon 2024-2025 is an innovative initiative designed to foster cross-border collaboration, embodying a mantra of Together for a Sustainable Future.
Organised by Bilişim Vadisi and Th.E.A, this hackathon brings together innovators aged 18-35 from Greece and Turkey. Focusing on smart cities, the hackathon addresses common challenges such as sustainable urban mobility, waste management, disaster prevention, and energy-efficient infrastructures. This initiative received valuable support from local and national authorities and chambers of commerce to ensure a broad impact.
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Apr
28
2025
With 14 impressive applications submitted, narrowing it down to just 5 nominees was no easy task. Each programme brought forward bold ideas and powerful initiatives – a clear sign of the vibrant innovation ecosystem driving Europe’s green transition. Today, we’re proud to unveil the top 5 innovation and entrepreneurship support programmes leading the charge in a green transition!
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Apr
11
2025
EBN invites EU|BIC members to support the Lebanon Innovate project by contributing as expert trainers in a capacity-building programme for university Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs), helping turn academic innovations into market-ready solutions.
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Apr
07
2025
EBN is proud to announce The Place by CCI has officially earned the prestigious EU|BIC label, certifying it as a leading force in entrepreneurial support, innovation, and regional economic development in the Centre-Val de Loire region of France.
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Apr
07
2025
The soft-landing programme visit carried out by EU|BIC Instituto Pedro Nunes (IPN Incubadora) and EU|BIC Startup Leiria, providing the incubation managers with hands-on experience and exposure to best practices in incubation management.
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Mar
31
2025
Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instruments - Strengthening regional innovation ecosystems through Smart Specialisation and interregional collaboration.
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Mar
19
2025
We are proud to celebrate the outstanding performance of our Quality-certified EU|BICs and Associate members in the 2025 Europe’s Leading Start-up Hubs 2025 ranking by the Financial Times, Statista, and Sifted. This second edition highlights 23 EU|BIC community members in the top European incubators and accelerators - almost doubling the numbers from last year.
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The pan-European EU|BIC business innovation community and the Certified EU|BIC quality label were designed as pioneering models for economic growth, facilitated by the EBN Secretariat. Throughout the pandemic, we have witnessed how the model of supporting entrepreneurial innovation continues to be the accelerator for recovery and a solution-driver for global challenges.
Our members, who we serve via the EU|BIC community, partners and the EBN team remain committed to co-design our desired future supported by innovation: creating greater wellbeing to European citizens – and beyond.
Our members, who we serve via the EU|BIC community, partners and the EBN team remain committed to co-design our desired future supported by innovation: creating greater wellbeing to European citizens – and beyond.
EU|BIC quality certification label
Industry
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best-practices
Project
participation
participation
Skills
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building training
Dedicated
expert team
expert team
