About EEN2EIC

Core Activities

EEN2EIC Core Activities

EEN2EIC focuses on four main areas of action aimed at strengthening the connection between the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) and the European Innovation Council (EIC).

Widening countries are: Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and all associated countries with equivalent characteristics in terms of R&I performance (Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo 2 , Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, Morocco, Tunisia, Ukraine, Faroe Islands) and the Outermost Regions as defined in Art. 349 TFEU.

Activity 1

Support to innovative companies

EEN2EIC provides targeted support to innovative SMEs and start-ups, with particular attention to women-led companies and companies from Widening countries. The objective is to help potential applicants strengthen their business case and improve the quality of applications to the EIC Accelerator.

Support may include:

• assessment of innovation and business strategy

• guidance on the EIC Accelerator application process

• support in preparing the short application

Activity 2

Support to Seal of Excellence holders.

EEN2EIC supports Seal of Excellence (SoE) holders who received a positive evaluation under the EIC Accelerator but could not be funded due to budget limitations.

Through the Enterprise Europe Network, SoE companies are supported in identifying alternative public and private funding opportunities and strengthening their business and financing strategies.

Activity 3

Investment Readiness Service (IRS)

The Investment Readiness Service (IRS) provides structured support to help companies improve their investment readiness, refine their investment case, and better prepare to access funding opportunities.

The service is delivered through the Enterprise Europe Network and focuses on strengthening the company’s investment strategy, financial planning and investor communication.

Activity 4

Capacity building in Widening countries

EEN2EIC strengthens the capacity of EEN organisations in Widening countries to support companies engaging with the EIC.

Activities include:

• exchange of good practices and expertise within the EEN network

• peer learning among EEN advisers

• collaboration with EIC National Contact Points (NCPs) and other innovation stakeholders

Voucher scheme

The EEN2EIC voucher scheme will provide flexible and modular financial support for EENs supporting SME willing to submit a proposal under upcoming EIC-Accelerator calls.

For the EEN partners

Voucher Type

Explanation

Women Entrepreneurs and Widening Countries

Vouchers will be provided depending on whether the SME assisted:

applies to the EIC Accelerator (1st Stage Short Proposal or Full proposal only in case of Fast track and Pilot Plug-in schemes) regardless of outcome – GROUP A voucher – € 1,300
receives funding or a Seal of Excellence – GROUP B voucher – € 2,400

Seal of Excellence

SoE Local Node Voucher – € 1,100
SoE Group Leader Voucher – € 9,406

For Consortium innovation leaders

Voucher Type

Explanation

EEN Consortium innovation leaders

Consortium innovation leader receives a voucher for 10 cases in Group A – € 5,000
Voucher for EEN consortium innovation leader to Kick off the EEN2EIC services in widening countries via event – € 1,000
1 training and exchange of best practice session as a voucher to be used by consortium innovation leader for the benefit of widening countries according to the action plan – € 8,000. Additionally, 2 days of 1-to-1 coaching sessions as a voucher to be used by consortium innovation leader for the benefit of widening countries according to the action plan – € 2,000
Face-to-face EEN2EIC advisors’ meetings (at Viking Days, at Central EU EEN summit etc.) Travel vouchers for EEN2EIC Local Node advisors to fly in – € 500

Vouchers will be offered as reimbursement for the services provided, which will be properly documented on the EEN2EIC Tool.

EEN2EIC General Information

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Meet the EEN2EIC Consortium