Periodic Reporting for period 1 - CO-INVESTIN (COnnecting INVestment Ecosystems by Strengthening Transparency and INclusion)
Reporting period: 2023-09-04 to 2025-09-03
The CO-INVESTIN project tackles structural challenges in Europe’s investment ecosystem, particularly in modest and emerging economies, by connecting them with international investors. The deep-tech sector, reliant on key enabling technologies (KETs), faces major funding barriers, particularly at the Series A stage, due to fragmented venture capital, limited local investment, and risk-averse EU funding practices. CO-INVESTIN addresses these gaps by fostering "patient capital" for deep-tech innovations that require long-term investment.
Core Objectives:
Identify funding gaps in emerging ecosystems and propose solutions.
Develop investor resources on regulatory, fiscal, and administrative conditions.
Facilitate co-investment through networking and matchmaking events.
Enhance visibility of local start-ups, especially female-led ventures.
Impact:
The project strengthens EU investment networks, attracts international capital, retains talent, and supports scaling start-ups. It also promotes gender inclusion and leverages social sciences for policy recommendations to improve investment culture across Europe.
Core Objectives:
Identify funding gaps in emerging ecosystems and propose solutions.
Develop investor resources on regulatory, fiscal, and administrative conditions.
Facilitate co-investment through networking and matchmaking events.
Enhance visibility of local start-ups, especially female-led ventures.
Impact:
The project strengthens EU investment networks, attracts international capital, retains talent, and supports scaling start-ups. It also promotes gender inclusion and leverages social sciences for policy recommendations to improve investment culture across Europe.
The Co-Investin project aims to address investment challenges in Europe's emerging and moderate innovation ecosystems by fostering cross-border collaboration, increasing funding access for startups, and promoting inclusivity and gender balance. The project supports ecosystems in Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, France, Belgium, and Denmark, with a strong emphasis on Series A funding gaps, women-led ventures, and transparent investment processes.
The project has successfully conducted research and investor interviews, leading to the publication of a Gap Analysis Report. It has compiled and promoted success stories of women-led startups, established a network of local ecosystem stakeholders, and launched the Co-Investin Digital Tool to facilitate investor market entry. Investment readiness guidelines have been developed, providing a framework for scale-ups to assess their financial and operational standing, while country-specific investment roadmaps have been designed to assist foreign investors.
A major achievement of Co-Investin is the development of a Digital Tool integrated into the project website, offering insights into investment opportunities, regulatory frameworks, and market conditions. Market orientation programs and soft-landing packs have been created to support European investors. The establishment of a Central Point of Information (CPI) is underway, ensuring real-time assistance for foreign investors.
To strengthen venture capital syndication and cross-border investments, Co-Investin has organized investment webinars and roundtable discussions, hosted matchmaking events such as the VC2VC Portfolio Showcase Pitch, and facilitated the Co-Investin Venture Forum at Tech Tour South East. Preliminary policy recommendations have been developed to support investment ecosystems and gender-inclusive policies.
The project's communication strategy has been instrumental in increasing awareness and engaging stakeholders. A Dissemination and Communication Plan has been executed, the project website and social media channels have been launched, and partnerships with women-focused investor communities have been formed to promote gender-balanced investment initiatives. Efforts to ensure ethical compliance and transparent data management, including GDPR adherence, are actively implemented.
Moving forward, Co-Investin aims to enhance investor engagement, refine its investment support tools, and expand its network of ecosystem enablers. By strengthening cross-border collaborations and improving access to funding, the project contributes to the long-term resilience and inclusivity of Europe's investment landscape.
For more details, visit: https://co-investin.eu/(opens in new window)
The project has successfully conducted research and investor interviews, leading to the publication of a Gap Analysis Report. It has compiled and promoted success stories of women-led startups, established a network of local ecosystem stakeholders, and launched the Co-Investin Digital Tool to facilitate investor market entry. Investment readiness guidelines have been developed, providing a framework for scale-ups to assess their financial and operational standing, while country-specific investment roadmaps have been designed to assist foreign investors.
A major achievement of Co-Investin is the development of a Digital Tool integrated into the project website, offering insights into investment opportunities, regulatory frameworks, and market conditions. Market orientation programs and soft-landing packs have been created to support European investors. The establishment of a Central Point of Information (CPI) is underway, ensuring real-time assistance for foreign investors.
To strengthen venture capital syndication and cross-border investments, Co-Investin has organized investment webinars and roundtable discussions, hosted matchmaking events such as the VC2VC Portfolio Showcase Pitch, and facilitated the Co-Investin Venture Forum at Tech Tour South East. Preliminary policy recommendations have been developed to support investment ecosystems and gender-inclusive policies.
The project's communication strategy has been instrumental in increasing awareness and engaging stakeholders. A Dissemination and Communication Plan has been executed, the project website and social media channels have been launched, and partnerships with women-focused investor communities have been formed to promote gender-balanced investment initiatives. Efforts to ensure ethical compliance and transparent data management, including GDPR adherence, are actively implemented.
Moving forward, Co-Investin aims to enhance investor engagement, refine its investment support tools, and expand its network of ecosystem enablers. By strengthening cross-border collaborations and improving access to funding, the project contributes to the long-term resilience and inclusivity of Europe's investment landscape.
For more details, visit: https://co-investin.eu/(opens in new window)
Results
Co-Investin has successfully increased visibility and access to funding for startups in modest and moderate innovation ecosystems. By implementing structured investor support mechanisms, the project has fostered a more inclusive and transparent investment environment. The Digital Tool, investment roadmaps, and matchmaking events have enhanced collaboration between investors and startups, leading to strengthened ecosystems and greater financial opportunities.
Potential Impacts
The project has created lasting value by bridging investment gaps and fostering innovation ecosystems that were previously underserved. Co-Investin's approach serves as a model that can be replicated in other European regions, promoting cross-border investment flows. The promotion of gender-inclusive investment practices has also contributed to diversifying and strengthening Europe's startup landscape.
Key Needs for Further Uptake and Success
To ensure long-term success and wider adoption, several key areas require further focus:
Further Research & Demonstration: Continued studies on investment trends and startup scaling barriers.
Access to Markets & Finance: Strengthening connections with venture capital networks and institutional investors.
Commercialisation & IPR Support: Providing tailored intellectual property rights (IPR) support and commercialization pathways.
Internationalisation: Expanding Co-Investin’s model to additional ecosystems and regions.
Regulatory & Standardisation Frameworks: Aligning investment policies with EU regulations to enhance transparency.
Co-Investin has successfully increased visibility and access to funding for startups in modest and moderate innovation ecosystems. By implementing structured investor support mechanisms, the project has fostered a more inclusive and transparent investment environment. The Digital Tool, investment roadmaps, and matchmaking events have enhanced collaboration between investors and startups, leading to strengthened ecosystems and greater financial opportunities.
Potential Impacts
The project has created lasting value by bridging investment gaps and fostering innovation ecosystems that were previously underserved. Co-Investin's approach serves as a model that can be replicated in other European regions, promoting cross-border investment flows. The promotion of gender-inclusive investment practices has also contributed to diversifying and strengthening Europe's startup landscape.
Key Needs for Further Uptake and Success
To ensure long-term success and wider adoption, several key areas require further focus:
Further Research & Demonstration: Continued studies on investment trends and startup scaling barriers.
Access to Markets & Finance: Strengthening connections with venture capital networks and institutional investors.
Commercialisation & IPR Support: Providing tailored intellectual property rights (IPR) support and commercialization pathways.
Internationalisation: Expanding Co-Investin’s model to additional ecosystems and regions.
Regulatory & Standardisation Frameworks: Aligning investment policies with EU regulations to enhance transparency.