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Submit Proposals for Cooperation with Enterprise Europe Network

Deadline: 6-Jan-22

The European Commission (EC) is seeking proposals for the Cooperation with Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), it is a network of business intermediary organisations (chambers of commerce, technology poles, innovation support organisations, universities and research institutes, regional development organisations) that help Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) innovate and grow internationally.

The aim of the EIC is to support innovation and scale up of companies in Europe. Until now in the EIC pilot the number of funded projects led by women innovators and from widening countries was rather moderate and there is a need to support these groups of potential applicants further upstream to utilize their full potential. Moreover, applicants that receive a Seal of Excellence (SoE) from the EIC Accelerator often struggle to find the relevant alternative funding from other sources and therefore access to finance service should be provided to these entities to enable faster implementation of their projects. To provide support and in line with Horizon Europe regulation, EIC is seeking for synergies with EU partners and programmes such as the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) to deliver the actions.
Scopes
Support to innovative companies in widening countries (300-400 per year) and women-led innovative companies across the whole EU and HE 3rd pillar Associated Countries (600-800 per year) aiming at preparing high quality EIC Accelerator proposals. The support should take the form of a 3-5 day (on average) service package of 1-to-1 advice to strengthen the business case of potential applicants through reinforcement of their business, innovation and partnering strategies (e.g. research institutes, investors, clients, business partners). It should focus on strengthening the company’s case in each part of the European Innovation Cuncil (EIC) application. The objective is to increase the number of quality proposals and filter out companies not suitable for the EIC.
Support to EIC Accelerator SoE holders (300 per year) to obtain funding from private and/or public sources. The support should take the form of a 3-5 day (on average) service package of 1-to-1 advice,including:
  • Identification of the relevant alternative funding source(s);
  • Advisory support for the application process to the identified funding source, including possible reorientation of the project;
  • Increase the pitching capacity to present project ideas to investors and introduce regional/national/European investors (including pitching events with investors);
  • Identify other needs than funding (e.g.: partnering, business support) and refer to relevant EEN or relevant stakeholders’ services (incl. cross-border);
  • Follow-up the supported SoE companies in their success in raising alternative funding and provide data back to the EIC.
Exchange of best practice within the EEN and access to additional expertise and private sector actors for the benefit of EENs in widening countries and Associated Countries to 3rd Pillar. The objective is to bring EENs in widening countries on a par with more advanced EENs to deliver an adequate service under Action 1 and 2 and enhance their collaboration with public and private stakeholders (e.g.: innovation agencies, start-up associations, incubators, Business Angels associations, investors). This action should be delivered by the Coordination Office and includes but is not limited to:
  • Drawing up and implementing a specific action plan based on needs and challenges faced by EENs in widening countries;
  • At least 1 training and exchange of best practice per EEN consortium in widening countries (in addition to existing EEN ‘exchange of experience’ scheme);
  • At least 2 days of 1-to-1 cross-border coaching by more experienced peers/experts per EEN consortium in widening countries to draft EIC Accelerator proposals (from EEN members and other experts from other Member States and Associated Countries).
Funding Information
Indicative budget: EUR 7.3 million for a Coordination and Support Action with a duration of 3 years (2022-2024).
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for funding, applicants must be established in one of the eligible countries, i.e.:
  • the Member States of the European Union, including their outermost regions;
  • the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) linked to the Member States;
  • eligible non-EU countries:
    • countries associated to Horizon Europe;
    • low- and middle-income countries.

For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3ASEEKO