Money, contacts, opportunities: How the EU takes your startup to the next level!

Whether it's groundbreaking technology, green innovation, or international growth – the EU supports your innovative ideas with programs that offer more than just money: contacts, markets, and knowledge. But what's really worth it? And how do you find the right one? Here's an overview of the most important programs:

1. EIC Accelerator – Top-class funding program

The EIC Accelerator is the Champions League of EU funding for SMEs. Up to €2.5 million in grants plus up to €10 million in investment – that doesn't just sound good, it is! Perfect for startups that are disrupting markets with bold technologies and have a competent team in place. The prerequisite: Your idea must be scalable and have a European dimension.

2. Other top programs for startups:

• Eureka Eurostars: For international research and development projects. Ideal if you want to collaborate with partners from other countries.
• Innovation Fund: Saving CO₂, optimizing energy, achieving net zero – your topics? Then get funding for green innovations, from research to investment costs.
• European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT): Do you want more than money? The EIT's Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) connect you with top innovators, coaches, and investors in fields such as healthcare, digitalization, and energy.
• Cascade Funding: Small, industry-specific projects? Find simple and fast financing directly from EU projects.
• Scale-up programs: For Startupsthat are already ready for the next growth injection. EIC Fund, InvestEU or STEP Scale Up offer capital for your scaling.

3. Application: How to achieve your goal

The most important rules: A clear market strategy and preparation are key! A strong proposal is clear, convincing, and demonstrates why your idea will advance Europe – be it in innovation, sustainability, or digitalization. Show how you're rocking the market and present a realistic financial plan.

What counts:

• European added value: Show why your idea is important across Europe.
• Partner networks: International cooperation is always a plus.
• Follow the rules: Procurement guidelines and the use of funding must be clean.

Sounds complicated? No problem! Let us help you – for example, from the SME advisory service of Bavarian Research Alliance (BayFOR) or the experts of the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN)

4. Your partners: BayFOR and EEN

The Enterprise Europe Network (EEN): The largest consulting network for SMEs in Europe. From technology transfer and funding to international partnerships – here you'll find free, on-the-spot support. The EEN network is active in over 35 countries and organized at the local level. There are currently seven partners in Bavaria, including – in addition to BayFOR – the Munich Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the Upper Bavaria Chamber of Industry and Commerce, and Bayern Innovativ. Here, you can find new international contacts and suitable business partners at matchmaking events.

The SME advisory service of the Bavarian Research Alliance (BayFOR): As a partner in the EEN, we are your funding coach in Bavaria for EU funding applications for research, development, and innovation! We help you select programs, guide you through the application process, and connect you with international partners – all free of charge. Even after approval, we stay by your side and support you with implementation, for example, in project management or public relations.

In 2023 alone we have:

• 100 inquiries from Bavaria processed,
• 21 Bavarian EIC Accelerator applications supported
• 15 additional Bavarian EU funding applications supported (e.g. Innovation Fund, Eurostars, etc.)
• 4 Bavarian projects successfully launched
• EU funding of approximately 10 million euros brought to Bavaria

Sounds like a good reason to get in touch, right?

Natalia Garcia Mozo
Head of SME Consulting at BayFOR
Phone: +49 89 9901888-171
E-mail: mozo@bayfor.org

Now is your time – use it!

Get what you deserve: funding, networks, opportunities. Contact us or sign up for our SME newsletter so as not to miss any opportunities.