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European Innovation Council
EIC International Trade Fairs Programme 3.0

Supporting EIC beneficiaries in their commercialisation strategy in European and foreign markets.

About

The EIC International Trade Fairs Programme 3.0 (ITF) aims at supporting EIC beneficiaries in their commercialisation strategy in European and foreign markets and it opens business avenues through participation in renowned trade fairs in the EU, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and the United States of America (USA).  

The programme allows companies to showcase their most innovative products in strategic markets, identify business opportunities and make contacts with new partners. It is open to startups, scaleups and SMEs from EU Member States and Associated Countries which have received EIC support, upon open call selection.   

Eager to know more? Learn all about the EIC International Trade Fairs Programme 3.0 with our latest videos:

ITF 3.0: 4 sectors in 3 different regions

The ITF Programme 3.0 is running from 2024 to 2026, offering the EIC awardees the opportunity to attend 12 international trade fairs across EU and extra-EU markets (Middle East and the United States of America). Specifically, the trade fairs cover the following sectors:   

  • Biotech and pharma  
  • Health and medical care  
  • Clean tech environment and energy  
  • New technologies and industrial technologies   

 

What's in it for you?

In addition to maximising visibility onsite, the ITF 3.0 Programme enables EIC beneficiaries to:

  • Explore high quality leads, including partnerships and business opportunities.
  • Connect with leading entrepreneurs in the industry and top business mentors.
  • Showcase their innovative technologies, products and services at the European Innovation Council / EU Pavilion.
  • Learn and share knowledge during workshops, preparatory training sessions with market experts and constructive debates. 

In addition, the programme includes a comprehensive set of business services for the EIC awardees: 

  • End-to-end support to EIC awardees in the process of internationalisation with expert coaching services.
  • Pre-departure market briefings to maximise their trade fair participation.
  • Tailored coaching services adapted to EIC awardees needs including cultural and intellectual property training.
  • Networking support (including B2B matchmaking).
  • Additional customised services during the trade fairs.
  • Robust follow-up mechanisms to build business partnerships following the trade fair. 

“We consider it a privilege to be part of the EIC ITF 3.0 Programme. Participating to major events have enhanced our branding and expanded our market reach." 

 

Mustafa Ergen, Founder at Ambeent, participant in CES 2024. 

 

 

Discover our success stories

Check our success stories below to learn about our impact:

Discover our upcoming trade fairs

  1. 13-17 October 2025
    GITEX Global

    Dubai, UAE 

  2. 17-20 November 2025
    MEDICA

    Dusseldorf, Germany

  3. 6-9 January 2026
    CES International

    Las Vegas, USA

  4. 2-5 March 2026
    Mobile World Congress (MWC)

    Barcelona, Spain

  5. 7-9 April 2026
    GITEX Africa

    Marrakech, Morocco

  6. 22-25 June 2026
    BIO International Convention

    Boston, USA

  7. 24-25 June 2026
    GITEX Europe

    Berlin, Germany

  8. 9-13 November 2026
    GITEX Global

    Dubai, UAE

  9. 9-12 November 2026
    MEDICA

    Dusseldorf, Germany

How to be part of the programme?

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) eligible to become EIC beneficiaries with a ready-to-market product or service with high innovation potential may apply for the EIC International Trade Fairs (ITF) Programme 3.0. 

In order to be eligible for the Programme, EIC beneficiaries must apply to calls by completing the application that is part of the open call. Information about the company's product/service alignment with the trade fair's objective, internationalisation strategy, and commercialisation preparedness are all requested on the application form.  

The call for application is open 6 months prior to the trade fairs. All the open calls are directly published on the EIC Community Platform

In order for the EIC to choose the final participants, outside experts will review and rank the received applications. 

 

Get involved in the EIC Community: ITF stories

All information related to the ITF 3.0 Programme as well as stories, open calls and events can be found on the EIC Community Platform.

The EIC Community helps EIC innovators establish themselves on the European and global markets, by finding peers and business partnerships. It hosts over 6 000 of Europe’s most innovative start-ups and scale-ups, many of which are already working on inventive solutions and services that positively contribute to the internationalisation of EIC-funded SMEs.

FAQ

Find all the answers on the EIC ITF 3.0 programme in the FAQ below.

  • General publications
  • 21 November 2023
EIC ITF 3.0: FAQ

 

Our reports

  • General publications
  • 30 July 2021
Analysis of EIC beneficiaries’ needs and challenges regarding geographic expansion
  • General publications
  • 30 October 2024
Report on the EIC International Trade Fairs programme: Impact, analysis of needs and challenges, and lessons learnt

Implementing partners

The International Trade Fairs Programme is implemented by PwC and G.A.C.

Get in touch

If you have any questions, please contact us through the EIC Community’s contact page  by choosing the ‘EIC International Trade Fairs Programme’ category.