The BioeconomyVentures project aimed to build the reference platform for bioeconomy-based start-ups and spin-offs seeking to gain access to finance, becoming the main meeting point in the European bioeconomy.
Our solution has been on a threefold approach:
1) Building and leveraging the first of its kind bioeconomy entrepreneurship ecosystem, boosted by the BioeconomyVentures Ambassadors Programme (AAP).
2) Creating and validating an assessment methodology for qualify and quantify the needs of the start-ups and spin-offs though the BioeconomyVentures Evaluation Matrix
3) Designing, developing and executing an interactive one-stop-shop- platform that will serve as a main meeting point for the bioeconomy entrepreneurship field, bringing together relevant groups of stakeholders (start-ups, spin-offs, investors and corporates) and integrating, on one single access point, high-quality services aiming to unlock the innovation potential and uncover opportunities to build relationships and partnerships across the BioeconomyVentures network.
The consortium was formed by a strong pool of experts along with the fields of bioeconomy and business with a track record managing entrepreneurship programs. Its partners were intentionally selected by their expertise and geographical reach, bringing together 6 different countries (IE, ES, BE, AT, IT, RS) to consolidate the maximum outreach of the initiative. It consists of 9 partners further complemented by 20 ambassador organisations all over Europe. At the conclusion of the action, each partner parts way with an improved understanding of the sector, a fine-tuned value proposition, and a broader network of supported and startups positively impressed by the project services. Most important, and described in the impact section, multiple thousands of organisations took part in our activities, with tens of Million EURs of investments facilitated into bioeconomy-related SMEs being our biggest achievement.