Startup-corporate partnerships in Europe: Interview with Michiel Scheffer, President of the European Innovation Council Board

The European Innovation Council (EIC) is fostering collaboration between deep-tech startups and major corporations through its Corporate Partnership Programme (CPP) to accelerate commercial partnerships. This initiative, highlighted by a recently released report, aims to facilitate innovation and the adoption of new technologies across various sectors within Europe. The program also has an international dimension, including a recent mission to Japan, expanding its global reach. The EIC CPP has facilitated over 1,600 engagements between EIC-backed startups and more than 120 corporations since 2017. These engagements have resulted in over 130 business deals, with over 600 structured follow-ups. The program has organized 87 Corporate business activities across 15 Member States and Japan, involving over 5,500 participants. The EIC CPP has a 92% satisfaction rate among participants. The program's focus on disruptive technologies and its structured, multi-phase approach differentiates it from other initiatives. Only startups that have passed the competitive EIC selection process can join, ensuring a high potential for success. The program goes beyond networking, providing curated interactions, targeted training for startups, and a data-driven matchmaking process. This supports long-term strategic collaboration. The EIC CPP provides a framework for effective corporate-startup collaboration, as demonstrated in the report. This approach offers a roadmap for companies seeking to foster innovation through partnerships. The upcoming "Corporates Network" will further enhance these collaborative opportunities.
To provide multilingual access, this article summary was automatically generated.
Source Information
European Alternatives You Might Like
Mollie
Mollie is a Dutch payment service provider that facilitates online and in-person payment processing for businesses. It enables users to accept various payment methods, including credit cards, bank transfers, and digital wallets. Key features include quick setup, transparent pricing, and support for multiple European payment methods. Mollie is suitable for businesses of all sizes, from startups to established enterprises, looking to streamline their payment processes and expand their customer reach by offering diverse payment options.
Mailbox
Mailbox.org is a secure email provider offering a comprehensive digital workspace. It provides email, calendar, cloud storage, and an office suite, including document editing, and video conferencing capabilities. This service is designed for both individuals and businesses seeking GDPR-compliant communication and data storage solutions. Key features include end-to-end encryption options, secure file sharing, and customizable domain support.
Scaleway
Scaleway is a European cloud computing provider offering a range of services, including servers, storage, and networking solutions. Key features include bare metal servers, virtual machines, object storage, and managed Kubernetes. It's suitable for developers, startups, and businesses seeking cloud infrastructure for web applications, data storage, and various other workloads. Scaleway distinguishes itself through competitive pricing and a focus on European data sovereignty, with data centers in France and the Netherlands.
