It’s been three years since the EIC Business Acceleration Services dove into Corporate Days, gathering innovative European SMEs and large corporates to take full advantage of partnering opportunities. Starting off in Sweden, together with ABB, in 2017, the EIC Corporate Days brought SMEs and corporates from across Europe. Read our highlights from Corporate Days to get a grasp of what the programme offers.
The European Innovation Council (EIC) is determined to stimulate strong collaboration between innovative European SMEs and large corporates to help them scale-up their business. To this end, and under its Business Acceleration Services line, it has established an ambitious set of events to assist EIC awardees in accessing corporate partners. Here are the key numbers and takeaways from the past two years.
27 matchmaking events
Between 2017-2019, there were 27 editions with big corporates: Airbus, ABB, Iberdrola, BMW, Procter & Gamble, Roche, Enel, Vinci, Solvay, Electrolux, Suez, Sonae, Ferrovial, Medtronic and Veolia, Equinor, Evonik, Orange, EDP, Man Truck & Bus, Saint-Gobain, Telefonica and BBVA, comdirect Bank AG, OTP Bank, L’Oréal, Galp and a multi-corporate including P&G, AB InBev, Nokia, DEME, Cargill, Umicore, GSK, Belfius, ING and Ingenico, among others.
More than 600 SMEs involved
The events gathered more than 600 companies to pitch their innovations, boost their network and meet relevant investors and business partners.
195 follow-ups
According to the feedback survey from the events, these Corporate Days registered an overall satisfaction among the participants of 88%. And subsequently to the events, 195 companies received a follow-up to explore business opportunities with corporates.
Read the Highlights from Corporate Days to have an idea of what Corporate Days are and what the programme offers. To explore other opportunities to connect with the largest corporates in Europe, keep an eye on our events page.
On 3 September 2020, a limited hand-picked number of companies funded by the EIC will have the opportunity to e-pitch and virtually present their business cases, ideas and exchange in virtual One-to-One business meetings with Evonik representatives. Applications are open until 12 July 2020.
DISCLAIMER: This information is provided in the interest of knowledge sharing and should not be interpreted as the official view of the European Commission, or any other organisation.