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 renown trade fairs in the EU, the Middle East 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.
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ITF 3.0: 4 sectors in 3 different regions
The ITF Programme 3.0 is running throughout 2024 and 2025, 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 & Pharma
- Health & Medical Care
- Clean Tech Environment and Energy
- New technologies & Industrial technologies
Why to be part of the ITF 3.0?
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.
“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.
Benefits of the ITF Programme 3.0
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.
Trade Fairs in 2025
- CES International, Las Vegas, USA, 7-10 January 2025
- Mobile World Congress (MWC), Barcelona, Spain, 3-6 March 2025
- GITEX Africa, Marrakech, Morocco, 14-16 April 2025
- GITEX Europe, Berlin, Germany, 21-23 May 2025
- BIO International Convention, Boston, USA, 16-19 June 2025
- GITEX Global, Dubai, UAE, 13-17 October 2025
- MEDICA, Dusseldorf, Germany, 17-20 November 2025
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.
Specifically, the EIC Community helps EIC innovators establish on the European and global markets, by finding peers and business partnerships. It hosts over 6000 of Europe’s most innovative startups and scale-ups, many of which are already working on inventive solutions and services that positively contribute to the internationalisation of EIC-funded SMEs.
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.