EU|BIC Essentials Training 2026

Think Global, Act Regional: Internationalisation Strategy and Service Design

16-20 November

This training programme is for EU|BIC managers and staff, incubator and accelerator professionals, and other Business Support Organisations (BSOs) seeking to strengthen their support in international growth.

The programme equips participants with the strategic vision, practical tools, and the programme design capabilities needed to develop effective internationalisation support services. Participants will learn how to build an internationalisation strategy for their own organisation, assess the readiness and international growth potential of startups, and design impactful support programmes that facilitate market access, partnerships, investment, and cross-border expansion.

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Structured around three complementary modules, the training follows a progressive learning journey:

Module 1 – Strategy → How does the EU|BIC become international?

EU|BIC Internationalisation Strategies – focusing on the international mindset, strategic positioning, partnership development, and alignment with European policy initiatives;

Module 2 – Startup Internationalisation → How do startups internationalise and what tools can support them?

Startup Internationalisation Strategies and Tools – providing practical frameworks and tools to assess readiness, identify market opportunities, and support startup internationalisation pathways;

Module 3 – Service Design → How can the EU|BIC transform this knowledge into impactful internationalisation support programmes?

Startup Internationalisation Support Programme Design – enabling participants to develop and manage internationalisation services, soft-landing programmes, mentoring and matchmaking activities, funding support mechanisms, and impact measurement systems.

Target audience

Managers and staff of EU|BICs, incubators, accelerators and other Business Support Organisations (BSOs)

Overall Learning Outcomes

By the end of the programme, participants will be able to:

Develop an internationalisation strategy for their EU|BIC.

Assess the internationalisation readiness of startups and SMEs.

Identify suitable international expansion pathways and target markets.

Design and manage internationalisation support services and programmes.

Mobilise international networks, partners and funding opportunities.

Measure and improve the impact of internationalisation support activities.

Module 1. EU|BIC Internationalisation Strategies

Building the International Mindset and Strategic Positioning of EU|BICs

Monday 16 November | 3 hours

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

Understand why internationalisation is a strategic priority for EU|BICs.

Define the international positioning of their organisation.

Identify international collaboration opportunities aligned with regional strengths.

Develop a roadmap for international engagement.

Description

Before supporting startups and SMEs in their international growth journey, EU|BICs need to establish their own international vision and strategy. This module focuses on developing the international mindset of Business Support Organisations and understanding how internationalisation can become a structural component of their activities.

Starting from regional strengths, Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3), existing partnerships and diaspora networks, participants will explore how to identify priority markets and collaboration opportunities. The module will also provide practical guidance on building international partnerships through Memoranda of Understanding, cooperation agreements and ecosystem alliances.

Module 2. Startup Internationalisation Strategies and Tools

Assessing Readiness and Supporting International Growth

Wednesday 18 November | 3 hours

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

Assess a startup’s internationalisation readiness.

Identify suitable internationalisation pathways.

Select appropriate market intelligence and diagnostic tools.

Match startups with relevant internationalisation support services.

Description

This module focuses on understanding how startups internationalise and how EU|BIC managers can effectively support them throughout the process. Participants will learn practical tools and frameworks to assess readiness, identify market opportunities and guide companies towards suitable international growth strategies.

The module combines strategic frameworks, practical diagnostic tools and market intelligence methodologies commonly used by incubators, accelerators and international business support organisations.

Module 3. (Training Lab) Designing and Delivering Internationalisation Support Programmes

From Services to Impact

Friday 20 November | 3 hours

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

Design internationalisation support programmes tailored to startup needs.

Build effective service portfolios and international partnerships.

Mobilise mentors, experts, investors and market-entry partners.

Monitor and measure programme impact.

Description

Having explored both organisational and startup internationalisation, participants will focus on how EU|BICs can translate this knowledge into structured support services and programmes.

The module will build on 3 concrete case studies that will be unfolded to help participants understand how to design, run and monitor successful internationalisation support programmes.

The module examines the full internationalisation support portfolio, including mentoring, coaching, advisory services, soft-landing programmes, international missions, investment readiness and ecosystem partnerships. Participants will also learn how to monitor programme performance and demonstrate impact.