How the EIC Corporate Partnership Programme Connects European Scaleups with Industry and What to Watch For
- ›The EIC Corporate Partnership Programme links EIC-funded startups and scaleups with major European corporates through curated matchmaking events and dealmaking support.
- ›Since 2017 the programme reports 91 corporate events, 2,493 one-to-one meetings and more than 100 business deals between EIC companies and large firms.
- ›Edition 3.0 will run additional activities from 2024 to 2026 with a focus on clearer corporate challenge definition, beneficiary preparation and bespoke dealmaking support.
- ›Corporates must meet size and reach criteria and sign a declaration of intent to join while startups should focus on strategic fit and clear asks to convert piloting into scale.
- ›Reported outcomes and satisfaction metrics are positive but public, granular data on deal values and follow-up conversion rates remain limited.
How the EIC Corporate Partnership Programme Connects European Scaleups with Industry and What to Watch For
The European Innovation Council Corporate Partnership Programme is a purpose built matchmaking and corporate venturing service that aims to accelerate adoption of deep tech developed by EIC-funded startups and scaleups. Launched in 2017, the programme runs curated events where startups can pitch directly to large corporate open innovation teams, and it supports pilots, investments and commercial partnerships. The EIC positions the programme as a bridge between the high risk, fast rhythm of early stage innovators and the scale, customer access and engineering capability of established firms.
What the programme offers and how it works
The programme organises several activity formats and provides end-to-end support that spans scouting, matchmaking, mentoring and dealmaking facilitation. EIC activity types include single-corporate Corporate Days, sector-focused Multi Corporate Days and Corporate Client Capitalisation where corporations help open their commercial networks to EIC beneficiaries. The EIC also offers mentorship, pitch preparation with corporate experts, and a deal support service tailored to each activity.
| Activity | Format | Typical corporate benefit |
| Corporate Day | Single corporate, curated pitches and one-to-one meetings | Direct scouting for pilots, procurement, and vendor relationships |
| Multi Corporate Day | Multiple corporates focused on a sector or challenge | Broader exposure and competitive benchmarking |
| Corporate Client Capitalisation | Corporates open commercial networks to EIC companies | Faster access to distribution channels and customer bases |
Reported scale and participating partners
Between 2017 and 2025 the EIC reports organising 91 Corporate and Multi Corporate Days, facilitating 2,493 one-to-one meetings and more than 100 business deals between EIC-backed companies and large firms. The programme says it has engaged more than 100 corporate partners including ABB, Airbus, BMW, CaixaBank, CommerzBank, Enel, Ferrovial, L’Oreal, Medtronic, Neste, Novo Nordisk, Roche, Saint-Gobain, Shell, Siemens Energy, Solvay and Telefónica. The EIC also advertises access to a pipeline of over 6,000 pre-selected EIC-backed scaleups covering health, energy, digital, and other verticals.
| Sample corporate partners | Representative sectors | Examples of collaboration models |
| Siemens Energy | Energy and decarbonisation | Venture client pilots, venture investments, venture building |
| Neste | Renewable fuels and chemical recycling | Minority investments, joint development and demonstrations |
| L’Oreal | Cosmetics and consumer goods | Product piloting, R&D partnerships |
| CaixaBank | Banking and agrotech procurement | Innovation procurement pilot for rural agrotech |
Edition 3.0: 2024 to 2026 priorities
The EIC launched Corporate Partnership Programme 3.0 to run an additional 31 activities between 2024 and 2026. The stated focus is threefold. First, help participating corporates present and frame their challenges in ways that attract relevant EIC solutions. Second, bolster participating EIC beneficiaries with mentors and experts from both the EIC and the corporate partners to improve pitch and pilot readiness. Third, provide dedicated dealmaking support per activity to increase the chances of pilots converting into commercial agreements or investment.
Eligibility and corporate criteria
The EIC seeks large corporates with an open innovation mindset. The cumulative criteria for joining the programme include more than a €1 billion turnover, more than 1,000 employees worldwide and a presence in at least 10 EU27 Member States. Corporates are expected to have experience or interest in corporate venturing, CVC or open innovation investments and to sign the EIC Corporate Partnership Programme Declaration of intent before participating.
What participants should expect and practical advice
Startups invited to EIC corporate activities should treat the interaction as strategic business development rather than a single pitch. Clear articulation of product-market fit, what the startup wants from the corporate partner and metrics for success improves conversion from pilot to paid contracts. Corporates should prepare well framed challenge statements, identify internal owners for pilot processes and be prepared to adapt procurement and testing procedures to startup timelines.
Interviews published alongside EIC Corporate Days illustrate how corporate venturing teams approach partnerships. For example, Siemens Energy Ventures operates a 3V model of Venture Building, Venture Clienting and Venture Capital to build startups, pilot and adopt solutions, and invest strategically. Neste pursues minority investments and joint demonstrations especially in renewable fuels, hydrogen and chemical recycling. Those corporate perspectives show the range of mechanisms a large firm can offer beyond simple procurement.
Impact claims and what to scrutinise
The EIC reports strong outcomes: thousands of meetings and more than 100 business deals, along with a 92 percent satisfaction score among participating EIC companies. These metrics indicate value but should be read in context. The headline figures do not disclose deal sizes, revenue generated from contracts, conversion rates from meetings to paid pilots, or time to revenue. Satisfaction surveys conducted by programme organisers can also reflect selection effects and short term sentiment. Independent, granular disclosure of deal values and follow-up performance would provide a clearer picture of the programme's economic impact.
Tools, complementary supports and ecosystem context
The Corporate Partnership Programme is one of several EIC Business Acceleration Services that aim to strengthen European deep tech scaleups. The EIC also highlights tools and initiatives such as the EIC Fund for co-investment and the EIC GHG Tool which helps beneficiaries measure and model greenhouse gas emissions and mitigation options. These services sit within a wider European innovation ecosystem that includes national innovation agencies, EU programmes like Horizon Europe and private venture investors.
How to apply or express interest
The EIC runs at least one corporate activity per month. EIC beneficiaries can keep track of upcoming events on the EIC Open Calls and Upcoming Events page and contact the EIC Community via its contact page using the subject 'EIC Corporate Partnership Programme'. Large corporates interested in joining can find an information page and express interest through an online form. Corporates joining the programme will be asked to sign the EIC Corporate Partnership Programme Declaration of intent.
Practical checklist for startups before a Corporate Day
1. Define the ask. Be explicit about whether you want a customer pilot, a development partner, investment or distribution. 2. Prepare measurable success metrics for a pilot. Show how you will demonstrate value in 3 to 6 months. 3. Identify dependencies such as data access, certification, IP and compliance needs. 4. Have a senior contact ready to engage and follow up post-event. 5. Use mentors offered by the EIC to refine your pitch and corporate fit.
Implications for the EU innovation ecosystem
The Corporate Partnership Programme is a practical attempt to close the classic gap between Europe’s deep tech R&D and industrial deployment. By structuring regular matchmaking and by encouraging corporates to commit resources, the programme helps channel pilots, procurement and strategic investments into startups. To maximise systemic benefit the next steps for the programme should include more transparent impact reporting, stronger regional balance in corporate participation and mechanisms to shorten procurement cycles that commonly slow adoption of startup solutions.
For policymakers and ecosystem actors, the programme is useful but not sufficient on its own. Scaling deep tech requires complementary finance, venture-ready talent, regulatory clarity and coordinated industrial demand. The EIC Corporate Partnership Programme addresses a key demand side lever and will likely be most effective when paired with co-investment, public procurement reform and national support measures that help pilot-stage startups cross the valley of death into commercial scale.
Contact and further reading
For EIC beneficiaries interested in events search the EIC Open Calls and Upcoming Events page and contact the EIC Community with the subject 'EIC Corporate Partnership Programme'. Corporates can express interest through the programme pages and will be asked to provide company details and sign a declaration of intent. The EIC has published a flagship report, 'Unlocking Innovation through Corporate-Startup Collaboration', with findings and best practices that inform the programme design.