About
The EIC Tech to Market Programme is an EIC Business Acceleration Service that supports deep-tech researchers and innovators at a pivotal stage: transforming scientific breakthroughs into market-ready solutions.
You have pushed the boundaries of science. Now we help you cross the bridge to market impact. Through hands-on training and structured venture-building support, the Programme enables teams to validate their business ideas, connect with ecosystem stakeholders, build the right venture team, and develop the capabilities needed to turn promising research into viable deep-tech ventures.
The Programme is open to EIC Pathfinder and EIC Transition beneficiaries, EIC Transition Seal of Excellence holders, all entities eligible for EIC Transition projects, and Women TechEU awardees.
It combines two complementary services:
EIC Entrepreneurial Trainings, build the knowledge and commercial understanding needed to bring deep-tech innovations to the market.
EIC Venture Building Services, support selected EIC Pathfinder and EIC Transition teams in shaping, structuring and growing their ventures towards investment and early scale-up.
Together, these services help beneficiaries take their research beyond the lab and explore concrete pathways to market success.
EIC Entrepreneurial Trainings
EIC Entrepreneurial Trainings equip beneficiaries with the knowledge, practical tools, and ecosystem connections needed to turn deep-tech research into real market value.
This service supports beneficiaries in building a strong entrepreneurial foundation, helping them understand what it truly takes to bring deep tech to market. From IP and regulation to financing and go-to-market strategy, they help participants sharpen their value proposition, test key assumptions, and build the commercial confidence required to move forward.
Each training can be accessed independently, recognising that participants start from different points and may not need every component. Together, however, they form a coherent journey. Step by step, participants build the clarity, skills, and confidence needed to move from research to market.
All training sessions are delivered remotely (with possible exceptions for Business Idea Validation course), enabling researchers and innovators across Europe to participate easily.
How does the journey unfold?
This service provides a structured journey that supports early commercialisation, from building entrepreneurial foundations to validating a concrete business idea.
- Entrepreneurship Foundation training, three half-day sessions that introduce the core concepts of entrepreneurship and the basics of turning research into a market opportunity..
Over 2026, there will be seven training cycles:
Cycle 1: End of March
Cycle 2: End of May
Cycle 3: Beginning of July
Cycle 4: Beginning of September
Cycle 5: Mid-October
Cycle 6: Mid-November
Cycle 7: Beginning of December
- Entrepreneurship Immersion training, an in-depth course of six online modules (9 hours each), delivered over three to four months, offering deep dives into the core topics technology transfer, such as product–market fit validation, revenue and costs drivers, business models, team composition, funding options, and legal and IP aspects.
Over 2026, there will be two cohorts:
Cohort 1: April - July
Cohort 2: September - December
Business Idea Validation course, a hands-on training comprising six online sessions of approximately 2.5 hours each. Between sessions, teams conduct at least 50 stakeholder interviews to gather direct market feedback, test their assumptions, and validate their business and product ideas based on real-world insights.
Over 2026, there will be two cohorts:
Cohort 1: June - September (summer break in July-August)
Cohort 2: October - December
- Ecosystem Development, beneficiaries can also take part in European Ecosystem Development events connecting them with mentors, industry experts, investors and strategic partners. These moments increase visibility, strengthen networks and open doors for future collaboration and funding.
EIC Venture Building Services
EIC Venture Building Services support selected EIC Pathfinder and EIC Transition teams whose research is ready to move towards start-up creation.
At this stage, the question is no longer “Is there potential?”. It is “How can we execute?”. The service focuses on real-world venture building, strengthening teams and preparing them for start-up creation.
It provides structured venture-building support, helping teams strengthen their business and go-to-market, build the right leadership and team setup, prepare for funding, and address key legal and regulatory requirements to cross the bridge from promising invention to investable venture.
Entry into this service follows a structured feasibility assessment to confirm that market entry is realistic and achievable. The assessment reviews market potential, execution readiness, risks, IP position, and team commitment to determine whether the innovation can progress towards venture creation.
Support is modular and needs-based. Teams may access one or several components depending on their specific gaps and stage of development.
What support is available?
Venture Team Formation: Strong ventures require strong teams. We work with beneficiaries to identify missing capabilities and strengthen leadership and execution capacity. Support may include:
- Definition of critical roles and identification of skill gaps
- Structured matchmaking with entrepreneurial and business talent across Europe
- Targeted networking initiatives to attract potential co-founders
- Deployment of embedded entrepreneurs or executives-in-residence for hands-on guidance over a defined period
The objective is to build balanced, execution-ready teams capable of leading venture creation.
Venture Support Services: Following a needs analysis, teams receive tailored expert support in the areas most critical to their progress. Depending on their stage and priorities, this may include:
- Business intelligence advisory services, including market analysis and branding.
- Legal and accounting advisory services specialised in venture creation.
- IPR advisory services, with a focus on IPR protection and technology transfer.
- Financial advisory services for setting up the venture, comprising identification of potential investment opportunities needed to start operations.
- Regulatory, certification and standardization advisory services.
- Human resources advisory services to identify staff needs and talents.
By strengthening the business model, clarifying the go-to-market approach, building the right team, and addressing key financial, legal, and regulatory requirements, teams are better equipped to approach investors, partners, and stakeholders with confidence and to scale on solid foundations.
Over 2026, there will be four different cycles:
Cycle 1: March - April
Cycle 2: May - July
Cycle 3: September - October
Cycle 4: November - January
An open call will be launched for each cycle. In addition, candidates may be identified through targeted outreach and invited to apply through the same application process.
How to join?
Attend the online Info Session on 11 March 2026 at 11:00 - 12:30 (CET) to learn more about the Programme and understand how to apply.
Applications for the EIC Entrepreneurial Trainings will open on a rolling basis starting from 11 March, the day of the Info Session. Applications to EIC Venture Building Services will open at the beginning of each cycle.
Register for the Info Session here!
Work with us: Call for experts and entrepreneurs in residence
Call for Expertise
If you have experience in bringing deep tech innovations to market, you can apply to become an expert for the programme. You will have the opportunity to prove feedback on the potential of the EIC Beneficiaries’ innovations, be a mentor and contribute as a business or market expert in different business-related fields to support business ideas validation and venture creation.
Applications are currently closed. Keep an eye on this page to be up to date on any news!
Expression of Interest for Entrepreneurs in Residence
We are looking for entrepreneurs in residence to team up with researchers who want to transform their research project into deep-tech startups. Apply to register your profile and join our Entrepreneurs’ Talent Pool, and become eligible to join a new disruptive venture as co-founder or key team member.
Applications are currently closed. Keep an eye on this page to be up to date on any news!
Get in touch
If you have any questions about the Programme and it services, please contact us via the EIC Community contact page. Select “EIC Tech to Market Entrepreneurial Trainings” or “EIC Tech to Market Venture Building Services”.
Implementing service providers
The EIC Tech to Market Programme is delivered by a partnership of experienced service providers on behalf of the European Innovation Council.
Disclaimer
All services and training activities offered to eligible participants under the EIC Tech to Market Programme are covered by the EIC. Please note that participants are responsible for covering their own travel and accommodation costs for any in-person meetings, events, or activities, where applicable.