EIC awardees at BIO 2024: exposure, tailored preparation and questions about measurable outcomes

From 3 to 6 June 2024, 15 small and medium sized enterprises backed by the European Innovation Council attended the BIO International Convention in San Diego. BIO is North America s largest biotechnology trade event and it attracts a global industry audience. The EIC cohort exhibited at the European Pavilion and took part in a combination of exhibit time, curated meetings and targeted sessions that the EIC says are intended to accelerate internationalisation and commercial partnerships in the United States.

What the European Pavilion offered

The European Pavilion returned to BIO for the third consecutive appearance. Organisers promoted the space as a focal point for European digital health and sustainable biotechnology innovations. Activities included panel discussions, an interactive exhibit hall, one to one business meetings and preparatory workshops. The Pavilion also functioned as a branded platform to increase visibility for EIC beneficiaries in a highly competitive environment.

The Pavilion s programming highlighted specific pathways for European companies that want to enter the US market but organisers framed many outcomes in aspirational terms. That underlines a common pattern in trade fair support where visibility and introductions are delivered quickly. Converting those into contracts, regulatory approvals and sustainable market share typically takes longer and requires additional resources.

European Night Reception and networking

On the second night of BIO, the EIC co-hosted an invite only European Night Reception with Belgium, Estonia, Italy, Poland and Switzerland. More than 300 attendees joined the event. Speakers included Robert Schröder, Laurent Muschel and Marek Magierowski, Ambassador of Poland to the United States. A panel moderated by Claire Skentelbery, Director General of EuropaBIO, featured representatives from Italy, Estonia and Belgium along with Carmen Laplaza Santos.

The reception was positioned as a space to foster high level conversations among entrepreneurs, industry representatives and national delegations. Such events can help build relationships but they do not automatically translate into commercial commitments. Monitoring and reporting are necessary to understand the real value of these connections.

Agenda highlights and curated sessions

The Pavilion s program combined market briefings, practical legal and fundraising advice, and so called reverse pitches. Reverse pitches flipped the usual script by having large corporates and investors describe their strategic challenges and investment priorities to the attending EIC companies. Participants in those sessions included Bayer, GSK, Sanofi, Abbott and Zynext Ventures.

Organisers also ran a session with Wilson Sonsini. The session covered fundraising in the United States, partnership models and operational considerations for EU life sciences firms expanding into US markets. Practical briefings of this kind address immediate knowledge gaps but they are one part of a longer capability building process that companies need to sustain transatlantic expansion.

Who represented Europe at BIO 2024

Preparation and support provided to participants

The selected companies were given onboarding calls and took part in a pre departure briefing on 16 April 2024. The briefing included market insights, logistics guidance and training on US corporate culture. EIC organisers say this prep work is valuable for small companies with packed schedules and limited international business experience.

One beneficiary, Agnes Michanek of Acousort, praised the logistical and preparatory support. She said the EIC team helped with arranging meetings and with reminders to complete materials, which she described as essential for a small company with a full agenda.

About the EIC International Trade Fairs Programme 3.0

The event was organised under the umbrella of the EIC International Trade Fairs Programme 3.0. The programme runs from 2024 to 2026 and aims to support EIC beneficiaries in internationalisation by financing participation in a curated set of trade fairs across the EU, the Middle East and North America. The initiative builds on previous iterations known as OTF 2.0 and earlier EIC trade fair efforts.

The ITF 3.0 programme targets four sectors across multiple regions. The sectors are biotech and pharma, health and medical care, cleantech and environment, and new and industrial technologies. Over the programme s lifecycle the EIC plans to send awardees to up to 12 trade fairs.

Upcoming trade fairs listed under ITF 3.0 as of late 2024 and 2025 planning

Claims, early signals and the need for evidence

EIC communications highlight immediate successes such as improved visibility and positive anecdotal feedback from participants. The ITF programme also publishes case studies where companies reported business wins after trade fair participation. Those accounts are useful but they are not a substitute for systematic, independently verified impact evaluation. Key questions remain about conversion rates, deal sizes, the durability of cross border partnerships, regulatory progress and follow through on investment commitments.

Trade fair programmes can be high value if they are part of a broader scale up pathway that includes financing, regulatory support and commercial resources. For policymakers and stakeholders seeking to assess the programme s return on public investment, transparent metrics and longitudinal tracking are essential.

How to engage and next steps for companies

EIC beneficiaries who wish to participate in future trade fairs should monitor open calls on the EIC Community platform. Eligibility is restricted to companies that have received EIC support and that demonstrate a commercialised or near market offering, an internationalisation strategy and readiness for trade fair engagement. Applications typically open about six months before each trade fair and external experts review submissions to select participants.

For further information or specific queries, the EIC Community helpdesk is the primary contact point. The EIC also provides published reports and FAQs on ITF 3.0 that contain more detail on processes and past impacts.

A short promotional video of the BIO 2024 participation was published by the EIC. That material provides a snapshot of activity but should be considered promotional content rather than independent evidence of long term market entry or commercial success.