Innovate-EU

26/08/2026

🚀 The latest INNOVATE-EU Newsletter is here!

Discover what we’ve been up to across Europe — from startup training and matchmaking to inspiring events, pitching opportunities and new connections across the innovation ecosystem.

And there’s more ahead: new trainings, investment events and opportunities for startups and scale-ups are coming this autumn.

📩 Explore INNOVATE-EU Newsletter #3 and stay connected for what’s next!

Steinbeis-Europa-Zentrum| smart green | Latvian Food Cluster | AgriFood Lithuania | Asociatia Clusterelor din Romania | Cluster IDiA | Cluster Imago-Mol

24/08/2026

🚀 Applications are now open for the MedTech Funding Lab in Iași!

Are you building a healthcare or MedTech startup in Europe and preparing to raise investment?

On 21 October 2026, INNOVATE-EU brings together founders and experienced investment and life sciences experts for the MedTech Funding Lab: Fundraising Toolkit & Pitch Masterclass, an intensive, hands-on day designed to help startups turn promising science and technology into an investor-ready business case and pitch.

📍 Ramada Hotel, Iași, Romania
📅 21 October 2026 | 08:30–17:30
🎯 Only 15 startups will be selected
⏳ Application deadline: 9 October 2026
💰 Fundraising Toolkit by Rubik Hub

Led by Robert Cotuna, Investment Manager at Rubik Hub, and Ionut Amariei, Startup Program Manager – Rubik Garage Accelerator, this practical session will take founders inside the logic of fundraising and investor expectations.

You will work on:
▪️ valuation methods
▪️ cap table mechanics
▪️ investor data room structure
▪️ P&L forecasting
▪️ VC profiling and investor targeting
▪️ practical lessons from real fundraising stories

No theory-only session: expect usable templates, exercises and practical feedback.

🎤 Pitching like a PRO
Henk Joos, General Manager of Silver Arrow, will guide startups through the strategic questions behind a compelling investor pitch:
→ Do you have a product or a technology?
→ Who will pay for it, and what is your Go-to-Market strategy?
→ Who are your real competitors?
→ Which Key Opinion Leaders can support your market entry?
→ What is your strategic roadmap?
→ Does your team have what it takes to deliver?

And importantly: what should you never pitch to investors?

Founders will then have time to rework their own pitch and put it into practice during the final startup pitching session, receiving direct feedback.

🎁 Selected startups also benefit from:
✈️ Travel and accommodation support of up to €300
🎟️ Opportunity for free access to the AI4-MED Conference, where you can connect with healthcare professionals, private clinics and other ecosystem actors

🇷🇴 Romanian pre-seed startups can also apply for the HealthTech Investors Summit 2026 regional preselection, taking place on 22 October during AI4-MED, for the opportunity to reach the European HealthTech Investors Summit in Bruges with support from INNOVATE-EU.

👉 Apply by 9 October:
https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/d5020985-9e55-2321-eceb-0fec935436f6

The MedTech Funding Lab is organised within INNOVATE-EU, in partnership with Cluster Imago-Mol and Rubik Hub, as a side event of the AI4-MED Conference, with the support of the European Union.

If investment readiness is your next milestone, Iași is the place to be this October.

28/07/2026

🚀 Calling all GreenTech startups!

Are you looking to raise funding and connect with investors who truly understand your business?

Join the GreenTech Capital Forum on 24 September 2026 in Freiburg, Germany 🇩🇪 – a curated investment event designed to connect innovative GreenTech startups with specialist investors.

Hosted by smart green – Empowering GreenTech Entrepreneurs, the forum focuses on startups in:
⚡ EnergyTech
🏗️ ConstructionTech
🏭 IndustryTech

What makes this event different?
✅ Curated matchmaking with relevant investors
✅ Access to pre-selected investors aligned with your stage and funding needs
✅ Transparent investment criteria (ticket size, stage and focus)
✅ Structured meetings instead of random networking
✅ An exclusive event limited to just 100 startups

Apply now!

Applications are now open and will be reviewed before tickets are released. Selected startups will receive a confirmation shortly after applying. In addition, startups can apply for the MakeItMatter Award, with prize money of up to €15,000.

👉 Apply here: https://eu.jotform.com/form/261653891383062

If you know an ambitious GreenTech startup that should be there, please share this opportunity with your network. Together, let's accelerate the green transition through innovation and investment. 🌱

smart green Latvian Food Cluster Steinbeis-Europa-Zentrum AgriFood Lithuania Cluster Imago-Mol Asociatia Clusterelor din Romania IDiA

15/07/2026

💡 Looking to connect with Europe’s leading life science investors and innovators?

Join Life Science Investors’ Day 2026 on 24 September in Heidelberg, Germany – a unique opportunity to discover high-potential startups, hear inspiring pitches, and build strategic partnerships across the European life sciences ecosystem.

Whether you're an investor seeking the next breakthrough or a startup looking for funding and growth opportunities, this event is the place to make valuable connections.

📍 Heidelberg, Germany
📅 24 September 2026

Learn more and register: https://cebr.net/life-science-investors-day/

02/07/2026

Behind Every Start-up Success Story
How Ecosystems Shape Growth, Scale and Impact

📅 16 September 2026
📍 Tech Park, Vilnius, Lithuania
🎉 Official Side Event of Startup Fair 2026

Join us for an event with and about the people, organisations, and policies that make start-up success possible.

Organised by INNOVATE-EU, We-Rise Project and Epic-X, this side event brings together policymakers, investors, innovation agencies, accelerators, incubators, clusters, universities, and start-up founders to explore a fundamental question: What does it take to create more start-up success stories in Europe?

Europe is rich in talent, ideas, and innovation. Yet many promising start-ups struggle to access the support, networks, funding, and market opportunities needed to grow and scale. While individual success stories often take centre stage, the ecosystems behind them receive far less attention.

Drawing on the experience of European initiatives supporting hundreds of start-ups across different sectors and regions, this event will explore what works, what barriers remain, and how ecosystem actors can work together to create stronger pathways for start-up growth.

Together, we will discuss:

🔷 How ecosystems can better support start-up growth and scaling
🔷What start-ups really need from investors, policymakers, and support organisations
🔷Which interventions deliver the greatest impact
🔷How Europe can strengthen its innovation competitiveness through collaboration
🔷What lessons can be drawn from successful start-up support initiatives across Europe

This event is a dialogue between the people who shape the conditions for start-up success.

👥 Who should attend?

🔷Policymakers and public authorities
🔷Investors and venture capital representatives
🔷Innovation agencies and business support organisations
🔷Accelerators and incubators
🔷Clusters and ecosystem builders
🔷Universities and research organisations
🔷Start-up founders and entrepreneurs

If you would like to be part of this interactive event, please register https://lnkd.in/d4kMgDFs.
Under the registration link you can find the most recent information about the event. The agenda will also be published there.

Continue the conversation at Startup Fair.

🗓️ On 17 September, participants are invited to attend Startup Fair and discover innovative startups supported by We-Rise Project, Epic-X, and other European initiatives during dedicated startup pitching sessions.

Steinbeis-Europa-Zentrum AgriFood Lithuania Rubik Hub Asociatia Clusterelor din Romania

01/06/2026

⚡ Reminder for EnergyTech & GreenTech Start-ups: Applications Are Still Open! Looking to expand into the European energy market, connect with industry leaders, and showcase your solution at one of Europe's largest energy events?

Through the INNOVATE-EU programme, selected start-ups can join The smarter E Europe 2026 in Munich free of charge and benefit from dedicated preparation and support before and during the event.

📍 Munich Exhibition Center
📅 23–25 June 2026
🎁 What selected start-ups receive:
✅ Free participation at the Smart Green joint stand for all three exhibition days
✅ Pre-event training and tailored preparation to help you maximize your visibility, networking, and business opportunities
✅ Individual consulting and market-entry support from Smart Green's Energy & GreenTech experts
✅ On-site support throughout the fair
✅ Opportunity to pitch your innovation on stage in front of industry stakeholders

Whether you're developing solutions in renewable energy, energy storage, smart grids, energy efficiency, e-mobility, hydrogen, climate tech, or other GreenTech sectors, this is a unique opportunity to accelerate your European market expansion.

🚀 We don't just bring you to the trade fair–we help you prepare, connect, and make the most of every opportunity.
⏳ Places are limited and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
👉 Apply now: https://lnkd.in/dt6aKHXi
📩 Questions? Contact: [email protected]

01/06/2026

🚀 Register for the INNOVATE-EU Matchmaking Day: Strengthening Startup Support in the EU!

📅 11 June 2026
💻 Online
⏰ 09:30–10:30 CET webinar + all-day bilateral matchmaking meetings

Join innovation ecosystem stakeholders from across Europe to exchange insights, build new partnerships, and explore opportunities to strengthen support for deep-tech startups.

🎯 Focus Topic: Venture Clienting & Corporate–Startup Cooperation

📋 Agenda
"The Matchmaking Warm-up: Input on European Start-up Support Policies and Challenges"
09:30 | Welcome and Introduction | Nina Hoppmann, Cluster IDiA
09:40 | Key Pillars of the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy | Elena Kostadinova, Taskforce on Startups and Scaleups, European Commission
10:00 | Action Points to Strengthen the EU Start-up Support Ecosystem: Insights from the INNOVATE-EU Project | Victoria Blessing, Steinbeis-Europa-Zentrum
10:15 | Good Practices in Venture Clienting and Corporate–Startup Cooperation | Daina Klepone, PhD, AgriFood Lithuania
10:25 | Closing Words | Nina Hoppmann, Cluster IDiA

💡 Connect with peers, share experiences, and discover collaboration opportunities that can accelerate startup growth and innovation across Europe.

🔗 Register by 10 June and book your bilateral meetings: https://lnkd.in/dn9Ru2Cp

19/05/2026

🚀 Join the INNOVATE-EU Matchmaking Day on 11 June 2026!

We invite innovation support stakeholders from across Europe to connect, exchange ideas, and explore new collaboration opportunities to strengthen support for startups and scaleups.

The online event will focus on venture clienting and corporate–startup collaboration as practical ways to help startups access pilot customers, validate solutions, and accelerate growth.

By participating, you will have the opportunity to:
🔹 Connect with innovation stakeholders across Europe
🔹 Schedule bilateral meetings via the B2Match platform
🔹 Explore future collaboration and project opportunities
🔹 Exchange knowledge and service offers
🔹 Build new partnerships within the European innovation ecosystem

📅 Online event: 11 June 2026
🖥️ Warm-up webinar: 9:30-10:30 CET
✏️ Apply here: https://lnkd.in/dn9Ru2Cp

We encourage participants to create their profiles early and start networking with potential partners!


Your document has finished loading

19/05/2026

Great ideas deserve the right stage 🚀

We’re happy to share feedback from Ritesh Soni from Asvel following the INNOVATE-EU startup pitching session at Deep Tech Atelier 2026.

The session was created to support deep tech startups by giving founders the opportunity to pitch in front of investors, experts, and the wider innovation ecosystem. Asvel stood out as one of the two startups that won their category and received a prize – a fantastic achievement for the team and a strong recognition of their MedTech solution 👏

Thank you to all participating startups for being part of the INNOVATE-EU journey!

19/05/2026