European Innovation Council (EIC) and Startup Europe join forces to boost digital and deep tech startup growth

The EIC is seeking to build synergies with the wider European startup ecosystem via a new wave of projects under the Commission’s Startup Europe initiative, following the opening of the HORIZON-EIC-2021-STARTUPEU-01-01 call with a total budget of EUR 6 million.

Startup ecosystem builders are invited to propose actions that will reinforce the activities of the European Innovation Council by targeting EIC supported digital and deep tech startups to support their scale up in Europe. The actions can also target deep tech startups not yet supported by the EIC, including startups that have already received private investment or EU funding, and raise their awareness of the opportunities on the EIC offer.

The future cross-border projects are expected to contribute to the following outcomes:

• Increasing the market footprint of European startups in strategic digital technologies and deep tech innovation notably Artificial Intelligence, Advanced Computing, Cybersecurity, Next Generation Internet, Blockchain, IoT, Greentech and Fintech;
• Better connection of EIC-supported startups and Seal of Excellence holders to relevant local and/or European ecosystems and communities;
• 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.

Discover the full call conditions and apply  until  18 November 2021 (original deadline 22 September has been extended).

For any questions please consult the guidance document below or contact EISMEA-EU-ECOSYSTEMSec [dot] europa [dot] eu (EISMEA-EU-ECOSYSTEMS[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu).

Background

Startup Europe is an initiative of the European Commission to connect high tech startups, scaleups, investors, accelerators, corporate networks, universities and the media. It is supported by a portfolio of EU funded projects and policy actions such as the EU Startup Nation Standard, Innovation Radar and the Digital Innovation and Scale-up Initiative (DISC). The initiative is fully aligned with the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) strategy of the European Commission.