Accessing financing – EU|BIC Impact in 2025 – EBN

The Clean Futures Accelerator is a strategic initiative led by EU|BIC Coventry University, BCIMO, and Connected Places Catapult to support SMEs in the West Midlands’ transport sector in developing and scaling sustainable technologies. Launched in 2023 as part of the West Midlands Innovation Accelerator, the programme addresses the region’s urgent need to transition away from fossil fuels. It offers up to £50,000 in funding, technical and commercial support, and extensive networking opportunities to companies innovating in very light rail and automotive manufacturing. So far, it has supported 39 businesses, helping place the region at the forefront of the UK’s green industrial revolution.

The programme has had a strong economic, social, and innovative impact, creating 57 full-time jobs, enabling £129 million in co-investment, and facilitating over 1,500 networking opportunities. One standout participant is Global Nano Network, which is developing a coating to extend electric vehicle battery life. With Clean Futures’ support, including funding and business development tools, the company created a digital twin of its manufacturing process and expanded its visibility to potential investors and stakeholders, including local government.

Bridging the investment gap for European innovators

Access to capital remains a critical bottleneck in Europe’s startup ecosystem, especially for deep-tech ventures, companies in underserved regions, and those at later stages of growth. In 2023, European startups raised just €52 billion, less than half of what U.S. startups secured. By age 10, they had raised 50% less capital than their San Francisco peers.

This funding gap stifles innovation and risks pushing Europe’s most promising ventures abroad. While the continent produces 36% of the world’s startups, it accounts for just 14% of unicorns, highlighting deep territorial disparities in innovation success.

EU|BIC Impact in 2024

€881 million in funding. 6,730 companies empowered. EU|BICs are catalysts for capital, unlocking opportunity across public, private, and EU-backed streams.

EBN and the EU|BIC community work to close this gap. We build pipelines of investment-ready companies, connect them with private investors, public funders, and EU-backed instruments, and support them with blended finance strategies and deal flow infrastructure.

By embedding finance into innovation—and innovation into finance—we ensure that Europe’s boldest ventures are empowered to grow and scale without leaving the continent.

Henera is a nine-month incubation and acceleration programme launched in June 2024 by EU|BIC Montpellier in partnership with energy leaders SLB and EDF.

Aimed at supporting startups in the decarbonised energy sector, the programme offers tailored coaching, business and tech mentoring, training, shared workspace, and access to BIC’s full incubation toolkit. Rooted in Montpellier’s vibrant clean energy ecosystem—home to EDF Renewables and a growing cluster of startups—Henera was created to move beyond ad-hoc innovation projects and establish a lasting support system for future leaders in renewable energy. In its first year, the programme supported four startups, created 10 jobs, and helped raise €1.5 million in funding.

Henera addresses key challenges faced by early-stage clean energy startups, such as funding access, market validation, and strategic partnerships. With 15 experts involved, the programme guides startups on IP strategy, business planning, and green practices like Green IT. One success story is Renvo, whose co-founders used Henera’s support to launch a platform for upcycling and recycling wind turbines. With expert help from SLB, they clarified their business model, raised €100,000, and are now preparing a logistics decarbonisation pilot with regional partners. More than an accelerator, Henera is shaping a connected, forward-looking community for clean energy innovation in southern France.