Startup & Business Acceleration Archives - INNOVA

B-HUB FOR EUROPE

admin — Mon, 11 May 2026 09:53:34 +0000

Project Information :

Project Name: B-HUB FOR EUROPE

Category: European Innovation Project | Blockchain | Startup Acceleration & Technology Transfer

Timeline: 2020 – 2022

Project Website: facebook/BhubforEurope

Project Overview

B-HUB FOR EUROPE was a European initiative developed under the Startup Europe framework with the objective of accelerating high-potential blockchain startups and strengthening blockchain innovation ecosystems across Europe.

The project connected five major startup ecosystems, Rome, Paris, Berlin, Vilnius, and Cluj-Napoca creating a decentralized European hub for blockchain innovation, business acceleration, and cross-border collaboration.

The initiative supported startups in:

developing blockchain-based business models,
validating proof-of-concepts,
accessing new markets and customers,
attracting investors and funding opportunities,
accelerating go-to-market strategies across Europe.

At the same time, B-HUB FOR EUROPE worked with public authorities, corporates, innovation managers, and SMEs to promote blockchain adoption and facilitate knowledge transfer on emerging blockchain applications and use cases.

Our Role & Contribution

INNOVA acted as the Project Coordinator, leading the implementation, strategic management, and execution of the initiative across the five European ecosystems.

As a private accelerator and seed capital fund with more than 25 years of experience in innovation and international project development, INNOVA coordinated:

project governance and consortium management,
acceleration programme implementation,
blockchain matching labs and ecosystem engagement activities,
dissemination, stakeholder coordination, and cross-border collaboration initiatives,
interaction with EU blockchain-related initiatives and policy stakeholders.

INNOVA also contributed to the creation of a dynamic European blockchain innovation community connecting startups, investors, corporates, research actors, and public institutions.

The Challenge

Despite the rapid growth of blockchain technologies, European startups and organizations faced several barriers limiting large-scale adoption and commercialization, including:

fragmented innovation ecosystems across Europe,
limited awareness of blockchain use cases among businesses and public administrations,
difficulties accessing investors and international markets,
lack of structured acceleration support for blockchain startups,
regulatory uncertainty and limited collaboration between innovators and end-users.

B-HUB FOR EUROPE addressed these challenges by creating a collaborative European ecosystem capable of accelerating blockchain innovation and market uptake.

Consultation Process

Startup Identification & Scouting

Mapping and selecting high-potential blockchain startups across five European ecosystems

Acceleration & Mentoring

Providing customized acceleration services, coaching, and expert advisory support

Capacity Building & Training

Delivering blockchain training sessions, webinars, and awareness-building activities

Matchmaking & Collaboration

Connecting startups with corporates, investors, SMEs, and public organizations

Market Validation & Go-to-Market Support

Supporting proof-of-concepts, customer discovery, and international market access

Ecosystem Development & Policy Engagement

Strengthening European blockchain communities and contributing to blockchain policy dialogue

Impact & Results

EMPOWEREDbyNEIA is delivering measurable impact across Europe by:

Strengthening interconnected innovation ecosystems
Supporting deep-tech startups and SMEs
Enhancing policy-making through real data and stakeholder insights
Creating cross-border collaboration opportunities and funding pathways
Promoting inclusive innovation, with a strong focus on underrepresented groups

The project ultimately contributes to building a more competitive, sustainable, and resilient European innovation landscape.

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HARD2SCALE

admin — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 09:00:39 +0000

Project Information :

Project Name: HARD2SCALE

Category: European Innovation Project | Deep Tech & Green Transition

Timeline: 2025 - Ongoing

Project Website: www.hard2scale.eu

Project Overview

HARD2SCALE is a Horizon Europe initiative designed to accelerate the growth of digital and deep-tech startups addressing the green transformation of energy-intensive and hard-to-abate industries.

The project establishes a cross-border accelerator that connects startups from emerging ecosystems with leading innovation hubs across Europe. By leveraging collaboration between industry, investors, academia, and policymakers, HARD2SCALE supports startups in scaling their solutions, accessing funding, and entering new markets.

Through this approach, the project strengthens Europe’s innovation capacity while enabling sustainable industrial transformation.

Our Role & Contribution

INNOVA plays a strategic role in HARD2SCALE as a technology transfer and innovation ecosystem expert.

Our contribution focuses on:

Leading the analysis of innovation gaps and ecosystem needs
Supporting the development of scaling strategies for startups
Facilitating collaboration between startups, industry players, and research actors
Contributing to the design of cross-border acceleration methodologies

Through these activities, INNOVA ensures that startups are not only technologically advanced but also market-ready and investment-ready.

The Challenge

Many innovative startups in Europe—especially in deep-tech and cleantech—struggle to scale due to:

Limited access to funding and investors
Fragmented innovation ecosystems across regions
Weak connections with industry end-users
Difficulties transitioning from innovation to market deployment

These challenges are even more pronounced in hard-to-abate industries, where high costs, complex regulations, and technological barriers slow down innovation adoption.

HARD2SCALE addresses this gap by creating a structured pathway for startups to move from early-stage innovation to real market impact.

Consultation Process

Ecosystem Assessment

Analyzing regional innovation gaps, industry needs, and startup potential

Startup Identification

Selecting high-potential deep-tech startups with strong scalability prospects

Stakeholder Engagement

Connecting startups with industry leaders, investors, and innovation actors

Acceleration Strategy Design

Developing tailored growth, market entry, and funding strategies

Implementation & Scaling

Supporting startups through cross-border acceleration and real market validation

Market Integration & Growth

Enabling long-term expansion, partnerships, and access to international markets

Impact & Results

HARD2SCALE delivers tangible impact at both startup and ecosystem level:

Support for 40 deep-tech startups to scale and enter new markets
Connection of 16 European innovation ecosystems
Increased access to public and private funding opportunities
Strengthened collaboration between emerging and leading regions
Development of market-ready solutions for sustainable industry transformation

In the long term, the project contributes to:

A more integrated and resilient European innovation ecosystem
Faster deployment of cleantech solutions
Increased competitiveness of European startups globally

The post HARD2SCALE appeared first on INNOVA.

EIC ACCESS+

admin — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 09:00:11 +0000

Project Information :

Project Name: EIC ACCESS+

Category: European Innovation Project | Deep-Tech & Innovation Support Services

Timeline: August 2024 – August 2026 (extended to December 2026) – (29 Months)

Project Website: www.eicaccessplus.eu

Project Overview

EIC ACCESS+ (Advancing Cross-border Coaching and Economic support for Specialised Services) is a European initiative designed to foster innovation by providing EIC beneficiaries with access to high-quality external services through the EIC Service Catalogue. The programme aims to accelerate the development, market readiness, and scalability of deep-tech startups, SMEs, and research-driven organisations.

By combining financial support with a carefully selected network of service providers, EIC ACCESS+ enables beneficiaries to strengthen their business strategies, enhance innovation capabilities, and effectively bring their technologies to market.

In particular, EIC ACCESS+ offers co-funding of up to 50% of the costs for accessing essential business services available in the EIC Service Catalogue. Beneficiaries can receive up to €60,000 in financial support to accelerate their growth, enhance market readiness, and increase their ability to secure investment.

Our Role & Contribution

At INNOVA, we act as the Project Coordinator of EIC ACCESS+, leading the programme’s implementation, coordination, and overall delivery.

Our role includes:

Managing the Open Call and application process
Overseeing the evaluation and selection of beneficiaries
Coordinating service delivery and the associated Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP)
Engaging with EIC beneficiaries and service providers across Europe

Drawing on our experience in EU project management, innovation support, and ecosystem development, we ensure the programme operates smoothly and delivers meaningful impact across the EIC community.

The Challenge

Innovative startups and research organisations often face several key challenges, such as:

Limited access to specialised expertise (e.g., intellectual property, regulatory frameworks, market entry)
Difficulties in scaling innovations to market
Fragmentation of innovation support services across Europe

EIC ACCESS+ addresses these challenges by offering co-funded access to high-quality services, ensuring that beneficiaries receive tailored support aligned with their stage of development.

Consultation Process

Application Submission

Beneficiaries apply through the Open Call and select a service from the EIC Service Catalogue.

Evaluation

Applications are reviewed based on eligibility criteria and the relevance of the selected service.

Service Contracting

The beneficiary signs a contract with the chosen service provider

Grant Agreement

An FSTP Agreement is concluded with the EIC ACCESS+ project.

Service Delivery

The service is implemented with clearly defined KPIs and expected outcomes

Reporting & Payment

Final documentation is submitted, and up to 50% of the service cost is reimbursed.

Impact & Results

EIC ACCESS+ contributes to:

Accelerating the market uptake of deep-tech innovations
Strengthening the European innovation ecosystem
Supporting startups and SMEs in scaling their technologies
Expanding access to specialised expertise and international networks
Increasing the success rate of EIC-supported companies

Overall, EIC ACCESS+ supports the development of a more competitive, connected, and innovative-driven European landscape.

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