EIC Summit 2022 in Brussels: organisers seek participant feedback as community expands
- ›The EIC Summit 2022 took place on 7 and 8 December in Brussels with more than 1 100 participants and over 90 speakers.
- ›Organisers are asking attendees and online viewers to complete an evaluation survey to improve future editions.
- ›Recordings and photos from the event are available on the EIC website.
- ›Next EIC events were announced: a joint Summit with the Swedish EU Presidency on 1 and 2 June 2023 in Stockholm and a March 2024 EIC Summit.
EIC Summit 2022: Brussels edition closes, organisers ask for feedback
The European Innovation Council Summit 2022 convened in Brussels on 7 and 8 December. The two day programme combined plenary sessions, thematic breakouts, workshops and an exhibition of supported projects and companies. Organisers report more than 1 100 participants and over 90 speakers. Now that the in person component has concluded, the EIC is soliciting participant feedback through an evaluation survey aimed at improving future editions.
What the Summit delivered
According to organisers the event showcased European deep tech and EIC backed innovations, and emphasised networking and business development. Sessions were structured to discuss future policy directions and business opportunities for EIC beneficiaries. An exhibition presented a selection of projects and companies that have received EIC support.
Organisers' message and next dates
Jean David Malo, Director of the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency, framed the Summit as a step in a continuing programme of community building. He highlighted the number of participants and speakers and presented the event as an established meeting place for European deep tech.
Malo said, "After last year’s EIC Summit, I promised we would come back bigger and better - and we did! With over 1100 participants at our wonderful Tour and Taxis venue in Brussels, more than 90 speakers divided over plenary sessions and workshops and an exhibition showing some of the very best projects and companies we support, the EIC Summit has clearly established itself as the place to be for European deep-tech innovation. The very strong networking activities underline the strength of the EIC community and the importance of meeting each other to do business, find opportunities, or simply to catch up. If you missed something, have a look at the website to find recordings of the sessions or to download pictures. Next year, we will join forces with the Swedish EU Presidency to organise another great event on 1-2 June 2023 in Stockholm. More information will follow soon. And we’ll be back in March 2024 with the EIC Summit with our mix of discussions on the state of European deep-tech, activities dedicated to our EIC beneficiaries and lots of networking opportunities. Looking forward to welcoming you again soon!"
Feedback request and why it matters
Organisers are asking those who attended in person and those who watched online to fill in an evaluation survey. The stated aim is to use participant input to improve future events and to ensure attendees receive maximum value from the Summit experience. The survey is the main channel the EIC is using to gather structured feedback about what worked and what could be changed.
Where to find recordings and materials
The EIC website hosts recordings of sessions and photos from the event according to organisers. Participants who want to revisit sessions or share materials with colleagues should consult the EIC Summit pages for audiovisual files and images.
Upcoming EIC Summit dates and format
| Event | Date | Location | Notes |
| EIC Summit 2022 | 7-8 December 2022 | Brussels, Tour and Taxis | In person event with plenaries, workshops and exhibition |
| EIC Summit with Swedish EU Presidency | 1-2 June 2023 | Stockholm | Joint event announced with the Swedish EU Presidency |
| EIC Summit 2024 | March 2024 | TBC | Planned return with discussions on deep tech and dedicated beneficiary activities |
Context and sober appraisal
Summits like the EIC event serve multiple functions. They raise visibility for funded projects, provide networking opportunities, and allow policymakers and programme managers to showcase impact. Attendance and speaker numbers are useful headline metrics but they do not in themselves demonstrate systemic outcomes such as company scaleup success, job creation, access to follow on finance or measurable policy change. For EU innovation programmes to deliver long term value there must be follow up mechanisms that convert meetings and leads into funding, market entry and measurable growth.
The EIC and its Executive Agency provide a range of services beyond the Summit. These include business acceleration support, matchmaking and regulatory assistance for beneficiaries. Participants and observers should look for evidence over time that the Summit contributes to concrete outcomes rather than only visibility.
How to engage after the Summit
If you attended or watched remotely you can still influence future editions by completing the evaluation survey. Check the EIC Summit webpages for session recordings, photos and any available slide decks. If you are an EIC beneficiary you may also access Business Acceleration Services and other support channels provided by the EIC and its agency.
Organisers signal a continued push to position the Summit as a central calendar event for European deep tech. That aim will be judged by whether future summits show measurable improvements in follow up support, diversity of participants and demonstrable impact on the companies the EIC funds.