Work with us
The European Innovation Council (EIC) stimulates the collaboration between the innovative companies it funds and large firms, investors, technology giants and industrial leaders to spur new partnerships and help small high-innovative companies scale-up their business.
The EIC Business Acceleration Services has developed since 2017 its EIC Corporate Partnership Programme to allow EIC companies to boost their network and meet relevant decision-makers from the largest companies in Europe.
From October 2017 until March 2023, 63 initiatives have been organised through “EIC Corporate Days”, “EIC Multicorporate Days” and enhanced cooperation initiatives as Planet.Tech or Energy4Planet with +100 corporate partners like: ABB, Airbus, BMW, CaixaBank, CommerzBank, Enel, Ferrovial, L’Oreal, Medtronic, Neste, Novo Nordisk, Roche, Saint-Gobain, Shell, Siemens Energy, Solvay or Telefonica.
Over 1200 EIC-funded startups/scaleups and +2500 corporate high level representatives have been able to participate in these initiatives reporting a significant business impact, follow-ups and business deals in less than 6 months, including numerous pilots, proofs of concept and other business collaborations.
The satisfaction rate among corporate representatives has reached 100%, proving the efficiency of the concept: bridging the gap between innovative SMEs and large companies can prove to be a vital strategy for business acceleration and growth.
What we offer is access to our large portfolio of highly innovative deep tech SMEs from all sectors and countries across Europe. Check the characteristics and performance of our portfolio in the EIC Impact report.
The European Innovation Council is open for new collaborations with the largest and more innovative Corporations in Europe.
We are looking for large corporations with open innovation spirit, interested in integrating innovations coming from startups, scaleups and research projects directly into their business offering, procurement and R&D activities as well as investing in high innovative/deep tech companies.
Criteria for the EIC Corporate Partnership Programme
In order to reach the highest impact for EIC awardees, the EIC looks specifically for:
- Largest corporations in Europe (cumulative criteria):
- More than 1bn EUR turnover.
- More than 1000 employees worldwide.
- Presence in at least 10 EU27 Member States.
- Investment in startups-scaleups.
- Focus on the EIC portfolio needs. Main topics: Health, ICT, Energy and Transport, green technologies.
- Corporate investment and experience in “Open innovation” and Corporate Venture Capital (CVC).
Before embarking on a collaboration, we ask corporations to agree with the EIC Corporate Partnership Programme Declaration of intent.
Please, watch the video EIC Corporate Partnership Programme-What’s in it for you? Highlights from Corporate Days to have better understanding of what the programme is and how it can help your business.