Deadline: 10-Nov-21
The European Commission (EC) is currently seeking proposals for the Expanding Acceleration Ecosystems.
The action supports co-designed programmes of activities, of at least two (2) calendar years, proposed jointly by business acceleration entities located in less connected innovation ecosystems (‘modest’ and ‘moderate’) and innovation hubs (‘strong innovators’ and innovation leaders’), to improve the quality of business acceleration services, their network outreach and scale-up support, such as:
- share business acceleration related best practices, knowledge, tools and methods;
- exchange of promising start-ups and SMEs, including women-led businesses, involving participation in acceleration programmes abroad and introduction to foreign financing institutions;
- exchange of accelerator programme experts, including evaluators, thematic experts, mentors and investors;
- establishing links between local actors in developing ecosystems, particularly research, education institutions and local authorities and incoming start-ups, international accelerators and experts to enhance transfer of technology and knowledge to supply them with innovative solution;
- establishing a virtual platform with an overview of accelerator programmes, financial resources, mentors, events in partner ecosystems.
Funding Information
The check will normally be done for the coordinator if the requested grant amount is equal to or greater than EUR 500 000, except for:
- public bodies (entities established as a public body under national law, including local, regional or national authorities) or international organisations; and
- cases where the individual requested grant amount is not more than EUR 60 000 (lowvalue grant).
Target group(s): Business-acceleration providers such as incubators, accelerators, company-builders, innovation agencies, business clubs and networks, regional public authorities and educational institutions.
Expected Outcomes
Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:
- Enhanced openness, competitiveness, and global potential of developing innovation ecosystems and creation of local jobs with high-value added;
- Balanced business activity across Europe;
- Improved quality and outreach of business acceleration services in developing innovation ecosystems.
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/3yUJEgT