Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SynergistEIC (SynergistEIC: Boosting Synergies between EIC and Startup Europe)
Reporting period: 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-31
Europe is experiencing a wave of significant innovations in sustainability, digitalization, and deep tech, with great potential to address global challenges such as climate change, limited resources, and the shift to a circular economy. Despite these opportunities, many startups, especially from widening countries, struggle to access the necessary support and resources to grow their ideas and compete internationally.
The SynergistEIC project was created to fill this gap, aligning with the European Union's goals of promoting innovation, supporting the growth of tech startups, and achieving Net Zero emissions. By offering practical, personalized support, the project focuses on helping startups in important sectors such as climate-tech, clean-tech, circular economy, and agri-food to scale faster, improve their technologies, and prepare for the market.
This initiative is a partnership between organizations from Romania (Spherik Association), Slovakia (G-Force), Portugal (FastTrack Action), and Ireland (F6S Network), all of which are deeply involved in the European startup ecosystem. Together, they aim to make a meaningful impact by identifying and supporting 30 startups through sub-grants, mentoring, and advisory services. The program focuses on both startups that have previously applied for the EIC Accelerator without securing funding and startups that have not applied, ensuring broad support for innovation.
By connecting startups with key stakeholders, including investors, innovation hubs, and collaborators, the SynergistEIC project aims to strengthen Europe's innovation ecosystem. The main objective is to help these startups contribute to EU priorities, including advancing technology independence and sustainability, while addressing global environmental and social challenges.
The SynergistEIC project was created to fill this gap, aligning with the European Union's goals of promoting innovation, supporting the growth of tech startups, and achieving Net Zero emissions. By offering practical, personalized support, the project focuses on helping startups in important sectors such as climate-tech, clean-tech, circular economy, and agri-food to scale faster, improve their technologies, and prepare for the market.
This initiative is a partnership between organizations from Romania (Spherik Association), Slovakia (G-Force), Portugal (FastTrack Action), and Ireland (F6S Network), all of which are deeply involved in the European startup ecosystem. Together, they aim to make a meaningful impact by identifying and supporting 30 startups through sub-grants, mentoring, and advisory services. The program focuses on both startups that have previously applied for the EIC Accelerator without securing funding and startups that have not applied, ensuring broad support for innovation.
By connecting startups with key stakeholders, including investors, innovation hubs, and collaborators, the SynergistEIC project aims to strengthen Europe's innovation ecosystem. The main objective is to help these startups contribute to EU priorities, including advancing technology independence and sustainability, while addressing global environmental and social challenges.
The SynergistEIC project supported green-tech startups through tailored acceleration programmes, focusing on green-tech, clean-tech, circular economy, and agri-food sectors. It prioritized widening country representation, gender diversity, and education on EIC Accelerator and EU funding opportunities.
Open Calls and Selection
Two open calls identified startups across two tracks:
EIC Track: Startups with prior EIC Accelerator applications but no funding.
Non-EIC Track: Innovative startups with no prior EIC applications.
KPIs Achieved:
Cohort 1: 192 applications, 15 selected (66% from widening countries, 53% women-led).
Cohort 2: 165 applications, 16 selected (53% from widening countries, 79% women-led).
Acceleration Programmes
Each cohort completed a six-month programme to improve market readiness:
Workshops on strategy, product development, and funding opportunities.
Mentorship: Over 280 tailored mentoring sessions.
Learning Sessions on EU funding, EIC Accelerator applications, and sustainability.
Startup Showcases
Two online Startup Showcase events concluded each cohort, providing visibility and networking with investors and experts. Recordings are available on the SynergistEIC YouTube channel.
Key Success Stories
SmartFarm Robotics (Cohort 1): Developed an autonomous solar-powered weeding robot. During the SEIC programme, the startup secured EIC Accelerator funding in February 2024, supported by tailored guidance and mentorship.
Detailed results are available in the Cohort 1 and Cohort 2 Impact Reports at https://synergisteic.eu/(opens in new window).
Open Calls and Selection
Two open calls identified startups across two tracks:
EIC Track: Startups with prior EIC Accelerator applications but no funding.
Non-EIC Track: Innovative startups with no prior EIC applications.
KPIs Achieved:
Cohort 1: 192 applications, 15 selected (66% from widening countries, 53% women-led).
Cohort 2: 165 applications, 16 selected (53% from widening countries, 79% women-led).
Acceleration Programmes
Each cohort completed a six-month programme to improve market readiness:
Workshops on strategy, product development, and funding opportunities.
Mentorship: Over 280 tailored mentoring sessions.
Learning Sessions on EU funding, EIC Accelerator applications, and sustainability.
Startup Showcases
Two online Startup Showcase events concluded each cohort, providing visibility and networking with investors and experts. Recordings are available on the SynergistEIC YouTube channel.
Key Success Stories
SmartFarm Robotics (Cohort 1): Developed an autonomous solar-powered weeding robot. During the SEIC programme, the startup secured EIC Accelerator funding in February 2024, supported by tailored guidance and mentorship.
Detailed results are available in the Cohort 1 and Cohort 2 Impact Reports at https://synergisteic.eu/(opens in new window).
The SynergistEIC programme supported green-tech startups in improving technology, scaling businesses, and creating impactful solutions. The project achieved results in four key areas: economic, technological, social, and environmental.
Economic Impact
39 startups received €50,000 each, with 2 additional startups receiving €30,000 and €20,000.
28 startups (90.3%) secured or completed projects during the programme.
16 startups (51.6%) gained new clients post-programme.
21 startups (67.7%) expanded their teams, adding 1–8 members.
22 startups (71%) obtained additional funding from other programmes or competitions.
Many startups improved investment readiness, with 53% in Cohort 1 and 44% in Cohort 2 becoming more prepared.
Technological Impact
28 startups (90.3%) achieved technological advancements, including optimized prototypes, new protocols, improved AI algorithms, enhanced IoT systems, and better product efficiency.
Over 80 new collaborations with industry partners and research institutions were formed, many cross-border, fostering innovation and cooperation.
Social Impact
53 jobs were created through direct hires and outsourced roles.
66% in Cohort 1 and 53% in Cohort 2 were from widening countries.
53% in Cohort 1 and 79% in Cohort 2 were women-led, exceeding targets.
Startups advanced community well-being and sustainable development goals, as reflected in qualitative and quantitative metrics.
Participants improved brand visibility and established investor connections.
Environmental Impact
15 startups developed technologies like AI-driven systems, energy-efficient prototypes, and green manufacturing processes, reducing environmental impact and increasing resource efficiency.
Funding enabled scaling R&D, protecting IP, and advancing clean energy and sustainable manufacturing.
Startups aligned solutions with EIC goals, improving sustainability and market readiness.
The programme supported sustainable agriculture and urban mobility strategies, expanding market reach.
Detailed results are available in the Cohort 1 and Cohort 2 Impact Reports at https://synergisteic.eu/(opens in new window).
Economic Impact
39 startups received €50,000 each, with 2 additional startups receiving €30,000 and €20,000.
28 startups (90.3%) secured or completed projects during the programme.
16 startups (51.6%) gained new clients post-programme.
21 startups (67.7%) expanded their teams, adding 1–8 members.
22 startups (71%) obtained additional funding from other programmes or competitions.
Many startups improved investment readiness, with 53% in Cohort 1 and 44% in Cohort 2 becoming more prepared.
Technological Impact
28 startups (90.3%) achieved technological advancements, including optimized prototypes, new protocols, improved AI algorithms, enhanced IoT systems, and better product efficiency.
Over 80 new collaborations with industry partners and research institutions were formed, many cross-border, fostering innovation and cooperation.
Social Impact
53 jobs were created through direct hires and outsourced roles.
66% in Cohort 1 and 53% in Cohort 2 were from widening countries.
53% in Cohort 1 and 79% in Cohort 2 were women-led, exceeding targets.
Startups advanced community well-being and sustainable development goals, as reflected in qualitative and quantitative metrics.
Participants improved brand visibility and established investor connections.
Environmental Impact
15 startups developed technologies like AI-driven systems, energy-efficient prototypes, and green manufacturing processes, reducing environmental impact and increasing resource efficiency.
Funding enabled scaling R&D, protecting IP, and advancing clean energy and sustainable manufacturing.
Startups aligned solutions with EIC goals, improving sustainability and market readiness.
The programme supported sustainable agriculture and urban mobility strategies, expanding market reach.
Detailed results are available in the Cohort 1 and Cohort 2 Impact Reports at https://synergisteic.eu/(opens in new window).