The EIC Scaling Club is a curated community that gathers 100+ European deep-tech scale-ups with the potential to build world-class businesses and solve major global challenges. The Club brings these companies together with investors, corporate innovators, and other industry stakeholders to spur their growth and help them become ‘unicorns’—privately owned companies exceeding €1 billion valuation.
The Club provides the selected companies with a broad network of investors, quality business partners, and tailored coaching and mentoring. Twice a year, members gather at in-person Club events where they can meet their peers, exchange experiences, network with industry investors, and start new business collaborations – among other things.
We spoke to five EIC Scaling Club members from the already onboarded market opportunity groups – Digital Security & Trust, Next-Gen Computing, Renewable Energies, and Smart Mobility. Here's what they have to say about their membership:
Cornel Amariei, .lumen Founder and CEO
.lumen is a Romanian startup building "glasses for the blind" – technology that replicates the functionality of a guide dog. The company is one of the Club members in the Next-Gen Computing market group and has received funding from the EIC.
“At the EIC Scaling Club launch event, someone said that 20% of the companies selected for the Club will become unicorns. I never founded the company for money, but I know where I want to be – I want to be amongst these 20%. I appreciate all the help and support my team has already received – we're meeting mentors, and they give us homework, which is really practical and helpful. At the launch event, we met a lot of people, and there was even one possible business opportunity that was born right at the event!”
Dana Camps, bound4blue Head of Marketing
The Spanish company bound4blue offers a wind-powered propulsion system (eSAIL®) that harnesses the power of the wind to reduce fuel costs and emissions for ships. The company is a member of the Renewable Energies market opportunity and has received funding from the EIC.
Asked why bound4blue joined the EIC Scaling club, Dana says:
“The first reason would be networking – I think there are many networking opportunities in the [EIC Scaling] Club. I have already met great people and individuals. The second [reason] would be learning – we have to learn a lot in this process of scaling. So I'm here to learn.”
Michal Tresner, ThreatMark Co-founder and CEO
ThreatMark is a fraud prevention company that helps financial institutions defend their digital banking channels against these ever-evolving threats. This Czech company is a member of the Digital Security & Trust market group.
“Our predominant reason for joining the EIC Scaling Club was visibility – that's what matters in this world. We're trying to get our message out in the world whenever possible,” notes Michal, and hopes to spread their message with the help of EIC Scaling Club. Additionally, at the Ignition Forum, he met a number of interesting company founders and investors. Time will show which of these connections will turn out fruitful.
Endijs Bernics, Aerones Chief of Staff
Aerones is a world leader in robotic technologies for wind turbine blade inspections, maintenance, and repairs. This Latvian company is a member of the Renewable Energies market group.
“The Ignition Forum [Club event – auth.] provided a valuable platform to connect with network members, particularly the EIC Scaling Club’s extensive investor and customer networks. These connections have opened doors for future commercial partnerships and potential investment opportunities, serving as a supporting mechanism for Aerones' continued growth trajectory.”
Nicolas Heuzé, Sweetch Energy Co-founder and CEO
Sweetch Energy is a deep-tech venture developing and deploying a new renewable energy source with osmotic power. This French startup is a part of the Renewable Energies cohort and has been supported by the EIC.
“EIC Scaling Club is a resourceful community that offers more than just social gatherings. We've met with key members and are actively identifying others with potential support. Our exciting but challenging project demands strong partnerships. That’s why the Club's network is invaluable in helping us find the right collaborators to push forward. Sweetch Energy has the potential to be a major success story, driving clean energy solutions for the European industry. The question is, how can Europe foster innovation like ours? By working together with the EIC Scaling Club, we can ensure Europe becomes the hub for deploying and developing this technology.”
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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.