EIC offers limited free tickets to Sifted Summit 2024 for EIC Community members
- ›The European Innovation Council is offering a small number of free Sifted Summit 2024 tickets exclusively to EIC Community members.
- ›Sifted Summit takes place 2 to 3 October 2024 in London with about 3,000 attendees, 200 plus speakers and more than 80 sponsors and exhibitors.
- ›EIC will run a stand and a workshop at the event and Community members must request tickets by email on a first come first served basis.
- ›Travel and accommodation are not covered and applicants must state their EIC scheme when requesting a ticket.
- ›The announcement carries a disclaimer that the information is for knowledge sharing and not the official view of the European Commission.
EIC offers limited free tickets to Sifted Summit 2024 for EIC Community members
The European Innovation Council is making a small number of complimentary tickets available to members of its EIC Community to attend the Sifted Summit 2024. The summit runs on 2 and 3 October 2024 in London and is billed as a major meeting point for European startups, investors and industry with a programme of conference sessions, panels and networking opportunities.
Event snapshot and EIC presence
Organisers expect roughly 3,000 attendees, more than 200 speakers and over 80 sponsors and exhibitors. Around half of the audience is described as startups and scale ups, which positions the summit as a founder centric event where early stage and growth companies can meet investors, corporate partners and peers. The EIC will have a physical stand at the summit and will also host a workshop as part of its participation.
| Detail | Information |
| Dates | 2 to 3 October 2024 |
| Location | London, United Kingdom |
| Expected attendees | About 3,000 |
| Speakers | 200 plus |
| Sponsors and exhibitors | 80 plus |
| Audience composition | Approximately 50 percent startups and scale ups |
| EIC activities at the summit | Dedicated stand and a workshop |
How the free ticket offer works
What to include when you apply
The announcement asks applicants to mention the specific EIC scheme they belong to. Common EIC schemes that applicants are likely to belong to include Accelerator, Pathfinder, Transition, the EIC Fund and the EIC Business Acceleration Services. Applicants should be concise and clear in their request and supply any Community membership details that help confirm eligibility.
Who should consider applying
Startups and scale ups in the EIC Community are the obvious primary audience. The summit can also be useful for innovators seeking corporate partners, researchers looking to commercialise technologies and founders aiming to meet investors. The presence of EIC staff and an EIC workshop could make the event relevant for teams exploring follow on funding, pilot partnerships or international expansion.
That said the ticket offer is limited and does not remove the financial barrier of getting to London. For smaller teams the cost of travel and accommodation may determine whether attendance is feasible. Applicants should weigh the likely networking benefits against those costs and set realistic goals for what they intend to achieve at the summit.
Practical considerations and caveats
The announcement includes a disclaimer that the information is provided for knowledge sharing and should not be interpreted as the official view of the European Commission or any other organisation. That is a standard legal caveat but it is also a reminder that the free ticket offer is an operational communication to the EIC Community and not a policy announcement.
Because the event is in the United Kingdom applicants from EU member states and other countries should check passport, visa and health requirements well in advance. Post Brexit travel rules vary depending on nationality and length of stay. Also consider whether any public financial support you receive for travel must be authorised under your grant or contract terms.
Context and analysis for the EIC Community and the wider innovation ecosystem
Sifted events are widely attended by European founders and investors and can generate useful visibility for promising startups. An EIC stand and workshop create a focal point for Community members to connect with EIC staff and peers. For individual companies that secure meetings with investors or partners the event can accelerate dealmaking or pilot projects.
However the narrow offer of free tickets does not address a recurring challenge in EU innovation policy which is the cost of enabling broad and equitable participation at international events. When support is limited to entry only it naturally favours organisations that already have travel budgets or are located close to the venue. If the EIC aims to foster diverse participation across the Union it will need to consider whether additional support mechanisms are required for those outside major capitals or with constrained budgets.
Finally community members should be pragmatic about expected outcomes. Attending a large summit can produce leads and exposure but converting those into funding or partnerships requires follow up and often further investment of time and resources. Use the EIC stand and workshop to set clear objectives for meetings and plan post event follow up.
Contact and next steps
To request a ticket email Nino.TSURTSUMIA@ext.ec.europa.eu with Sifted Summit 2024: Ticket Request in the subject line and state the specific EIC scheme you are part of. Remember that the offer is limited and tickets are allocated on a first come first served basis. Travel and accommodation are not included.
This communication was published to inform the EIC Community. It does not represent the official position of the European Commission and should be treated as an operational update rather than a policy statement.