EIC Summit 2021: Registration opens for hybrid event in Brussels and online
- ›Registration opened for the first European Innovation Council Summit, set for 24-25 November 2021 in Brussels and online.
- ›The hybrid programme targets start-ups, SMEs, researchers, corporates and investors with keynotes, workshops and pitching sessions.
- ›European Commissioner Mariya Gabriel will launch the EIC Forum and announce winners of the EIC Women Innovators Prize and the iCapital Award.
- ›Practical sessions include early stage and impact investment, innovation procurement, IP and technology transfer, swarm robotics and space technology.
- ›In-person attendance is limited and a Covid Safe certificate is required for indoor events of more than 50 people under Brussels rules.
EIC Summit 24-25 November 2021: a hybrid convening for Europe’s innovation community
The European Innovation Council opened registration on 18 October 2021 for its first EIC Summit. The event takes place on 24 and 25 November 2021 and will be delivered in a hybrid format with activities in Brussels and streamed online. The target audience includes European start-ups and innovators, small and medium sized enterprises, researchers, corporate partners, potential investors and venture capitalists. Organisers describe the programme as a mix of keynotes, plenary sessions, pitching, workshops and awards presentations.
Programme highlights and themes
The Summit will bring together policy makers, entrepreneurs and investors to discuss topics that sit at the intersection of policy and deep tech. Sessions listed in the announcement include diversity in innovation, European technological sovereignty, and start-up and venture capital financing for digital technologies. In addition to plenaries and keynotes, the programme will include interactive pitching sessions and participatory workshops covering investment topics, public procurement for innovation and specialised technology domains.
| Date | Format | Representative sessions | Intended participants |
| 24-25 November 2021 | Hybrid in Brussels and online | Keynotes on innovation policy, plenary debates, pitching sessions, participatory workshops | Start-ups, SMEs, researchers, corporates, investors, policy practitioners |
| Throughout the event | In-person and streamed workshops | IP and patents, technology transfer, EIC Fund introduction, sector deep dives on swarm robotics and space technology | Project teams, entrepreneurs, tech transfer offices, investors |
Practical information for participants
If you want to attend in Brussels you should register quickly because in-person places are limited. The Summit will be accessible online for those who cannot travel. The EIC said it will publish the full programme closer to the event and will share updates on its Twitter account. Under Brussels rules, a Covid Safe ticket or certificate is required to attend indoor events of more than 50 people. That requirement affects in-person attendance and compliance will be managed according to local regulations.
What the Summit means for the EU innovation ecosystem
The EIC Summit is part of a broader push to promote the European Innovation Council as a central investor and convenor for deep tech in Europe. The event combines policy signalling with practical matchmaking between start-ups and investors. For entrepreneurs, the Summit offers networking and visibility. For policy makers, it is a chance to showcase strategic priorities such as technological sovereignty and diversity in innovation.
A note of caution. Large EU events frequently serve both as policy forums and as promotional platforms. Delegates should treat prize announcements and strategy pledges as signals rather than guarantees of rapid support. Networking at hybrid events can be effective but is not a substitute for sustained investment, transparent selection processes and follow up that turns introductions into capital and contracts.
Practical tips for attendees and applicants
If you plan to use the Summit for fundraising or partnership building prepare a concise pitch and bring follow up materials. Use the pitching workshops to get targeted feedback on your value proposition and go to IP and technology transfer sessions to clarify ownership issues before entering negotiations. If you plan to engage with the EIC Fund, be ready to discuss traction metrics and a clear path to scaling. For those joining online, test platform access beforehand and plan how to make remote networking effective.
Context and final observations
Events such as the EIC Summit matter because they bring actors together across Europe and create visible routes from research to market. The EIC and EISMEA play central roles in managing these programmes and forming links with national and regional innovation actors. Attendees should be aware that the Summit will combine high level announcements with practical activities and that the real value will come from follow up after the two days.
Organisers emphasise limited in-person capacity and an online option. Keep an eye on the EIC website and the Council’s social channels for the final programme and registration practicalities. Verify Covid Safe ticket requirements before travel and prepare to follow the event rules for safe attendance.