EIC Summit 2024: Pitching, Partnerships and Practical Support for Deep Tech Innovators

The European Innovation Council used the EIC Summit 2024 to run two linked satellite events under the umbrella of the EIC Ecosystem Partnerships and Co-Investment Support Programme. On 19 March the Investor Day on Sustainability and Deep Tech staged pitching sessions and investor matchmaking. The day before, over 60 organisations that provide specialised services to EIC beneficiaries gathered in Brussels to present their offers and exchange feedback. The programme aims to extend the EIC Business Acceleration Services by building a network of sector-focused partners and by facilitating co-investment activity alongside the EIC Fund.

Investor Day on Sustainability and Deep Tech

Investor Day brought 26 EIC-supported companies in front of a jury panel made up of more than 45 investors and experts. The pitching programme targeted priority verticals in the EIC Fund portfolio, including quantum, artificial intelligence and connectivity, industrial biotechnology and new materials, agritech and food, and energy transition. Organisers described the event as a curated opportunity for direct engagement between founders and potential co-investors, combining formal pitches with one-to-one follow up meetings.

Founders reported immediate benefits. Reblade, which develops drone based repair for wind turbine blades, reported post pitch interest and a follow up meeting with potential co-investors. BIOWEG, developing a fully biodegradable biopolymer to replace microplastics, said the event brought a range of investor conversations. Founders praised the efficiency of having investors physically present for informal follow ups, and noted the benefit of pitch coaching supplied ahead of the event.

The investor panel included venture capital and corporate venture representatives from well known European and international funds. Names cited by organisers include Amadeus Capital, ArcTern, Astanor, BASF Venture Capital, DN Capital, Eurazeo, High Tech Grunderfonds, HV Capital, Octopus, Redalpine, Speedinvest and others. Institutional initiatives such as Cleantech for Europe also participated as policy and investor bridging organisations. Representatives said they found a strong mix of high quality pitches and topic coverage relevant to climate and industrial transition.

EIC Partners side event and the Service Catalogue

On 18 March more than 60 organisations listed on the EIC Service Catalogue convened to network and exchange feedback on delivering services to EIC beneficiaries. The Service Catalogue is the searchable platform where EIC Partners publish offers spanning acceleration, access to infrastructure, IP and legal help, fundraising support, prototyping and other niche services. Beneficiaries and Seal of Excellence holders use the catalogue to find and apply for targeted support.

Organisers highlighted that the Service Catalogue lets users filter offers by category, project stage and sector, which is helpful given that EIC awardees typically need highly specific support. EIC Partners also use the platform to pilot services and to develop follow on commercial relationships with innovators.

EIC Partners recognised in Financial Times ranking

The EIC highlighted that 14 EIC Partners appeared in the Financial Times list of Europe’s Leading Startup Hubs. The list ranks hubs on alumni feedback and other success metrics. The named partners range from Startup Lisboa and InnovX to EIT programmes and other accelerators. Listing on the FT ranking is used by organisers to illustrate the quality of partner organisations available through the Service Catalogue.

Context from the EIC Business Acceleration Services and measurable claims

These figures show significant activity. A cautious reader will note that headline numbers do not reveal deal quality, counterfactuals, or precise attribution to EIC interventions over time. Pitch events can accelerate introductions but converting investor interest into closed rounds requires extended due diligence and negotiation. The EIC acknowledges this and frames the Ecosystem Partnerships and Co Investment Support Programme as a preparatory and matchmaking layer rather than a direct investor.

What this means for innovators and the wider EU innovation ecosystem

The EIC is consolidating a marketplace of specialised partners and investor connections in response to a common complaint among deep tech founders, which is that generalist acceleration support does not always provide access to the niche services needed for lab scale up, regulatory pathways, industrial pilots or technical due diligence. The Service Catalogue and ACCESS+ co funding lower some cost barriers to accessing those services.

At the same time there are open questions. Public programmes that catalyse investor conversations need complementary transparency on follow up outcomes and terms of co investment arrangements. Promoting selected partners can be helpful to beneficiaries, but it also concentrates bargaining power. Funders and policy makers should track conversion rates from pitch interest to signed term sheets and monitor for possible conflicts of interest where partners also act commercially for the same cohorts.

Practical details and contacts

EIC awardees and Seal of Excellence holders who want to explore partner services should register on the EIC Community Platform and consult the EIC Service Catalogue. For questions about co investment activities and Investor Day follow up contact investments@eicfund.eu. For questions about the Ecosystem Partnerships and partner services contact eicpartnerships-helpdesk@eic-bas.eu.

A final note from organisers states that the material is offered for knowledge sharing and does not represent the official view of the European Commission or other organisations.