European Innovation Ecosystems - Online Information Day - 29 February 2024
  01 February 2024

The 2023 and 2024 work program of the European Innovation Ecosystems (EIE), in line with the New European Innovation Agenda, aims to create and expand more connected, inclusive, and efficient innovation ecosystems. These ecosystems are designed to encourage innovation by supporting the scaling of companies and addressing significant challenges with strategies and policies.

On February 29, 2024, from 12:00 to 14:15 (Turkey time), the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) will host a comprehensive webinar providing detailed information about two important calls opened under EIE in January 2024. For detailed information and registration regarding the event, click here.

The webinar will focus on information related to two calls:

1. African Union-European Union Innovation Platform (HORIZON-EIE-2024-CONNECT-01-01):
This call aims to support the implementation of the EU Innovation Agenda in collaboration with the African Union (AU).

Target : Consortium participation requires at least one organization from a minimum of three African Union member countries. The consortium is expected to include stakeholders such as start-up networks, innovators, incubators, accelerators, academics, research and technology organizations, think tanks, and NGOs.
Expectations from Supported Projects:

Providing a meeting platform that details and proposes implementation methods for specific actions already present in the AU-EU shared innovation agenda.
Creating a forum for the discussion of actions in the AU-EU shared innovation agenda and making suggestions for the future, with forum meetings held annually or biennially.
Providing more facilitating opportunities for projects supported by EUREKA InnoWide calls with a focus on Africa.
Anticipated Call Budget: 12 Million Euros
Call Opening Date: January 11, 2024
Call Closing Date: April 25, 2024

2. Startup Europe (HORIZON-EIE-2024-CONNECT-01-02):
This call aims to connect local digital and deep tech startup ecosystems and support cross-regional acceleration activities.

Target : The consortium should consist of at least half of the consortium from 'moderate'/'emerging' countries according to the Innovation Scoreboard. Target participants include start-up ecosystems, angel investors, venture capitalists, accelerators, incubators, start-up associations, and clusters.

Expectations from Supported Projects:

Increasing the market footprint of European start-ups in strategic digital technologies and deep tech innovations, including Artificial Intelligence, Advanced Computing, Cybersecurity, Next Generation Internet, Blockchain, Internet of Things, Metaverse, Energy, Greentech, AgriTech, and Fintech.
Enhancing the interaction of start-ups, including those supported by EIT and EIC, with relevant local and European ecosystems and potential new markets.
Ensuring better alignment of technology solutions developed by advanced digital and deep tech start-ups funded by the EU with investment and growth opportunities in collaboration with other ventures.
Anticipated Call Budget: 2.5 Million Euros
Call Opening Date: January 11, 2024
Call Closing Date: April 25, 2024