The FINEST SCALEUP projects main goal is to elevate the scalability potential of green and sustainable deep tech solutions in BSR-5.
This goal is triggered by the lack of scale-up funding for startups from “Less Connected and Developing Innovation Ecosystems” (LC&D.IE) particularly women-led, and from the deep tech sector. First, deep tech startups lack investment for scaleup in LC&D.IE. Second, LC&D.IE regions are struggling with attracting foreign investors. Third, and more specifically, there is need to improve the capacity and strength of ‘LC&D.IE’ by enhancing their gender-inclusiveness, openness, competitiveness, and global potential, targeting in particular the green and sustainable Deep tech based innovations. Finally, emerging deep tech innovators and startups need dedicated and directed support to secure foreign investments in order to accelerate their growth, competitiveness and access international markets.
The FINEST SCALEUP project brings together leading research and innovation actors to establish the BSR-5 (EE, LV, LT, FI, PL) as a cross-border, inclusive and gender equal deep tech IE with the main goal to support innovators, startups and entrepreneurs to showcase innovative technologies, attract investment and reach global markets.
The project has 3 main key objectives (KO):
KO1: To improve the capacity and strength of LC&D.IE by enhancing their gender-inclusiveness, openness, competitiveness, and global potential, targeting in particular the green and sustainable deep tech based innovations.
KO2: To attract foreign investors into the FINEST SCALEUP ecosystem by raising awareness of local innovation ecosystems and deep tech startups, as well as the potential of the whole region, to capital providers from across Europe and beyond (also giving special attention to women-led investments).
KO3: To help emerging deep tech innovators and startups to secure foreign investments in order to accelerate their growth, competitiveness and access international markets.
The project´s overall scope and expected impact:
* Stronger innovation performance, increased competitive sustainability and more rapid transitions to a green and digital society and ecosystem integration to provide companies with access to new markets and customers and contribute to disruptive strategies.
* Enhanced network connectivity within IEs by reinforcing their capacity to support existing and emerging innovators and companies.
* Strengthened and expanded cooperation between IEs worldwide.
* More inclusive and gender equal IEs.