The EIC Overseas Trade Fairs 2.0 Programme (OTF) supports EIC beneficiaries to promote their commercialisation strategy in foreign markets and leverage business opportunities at the most popular trade fairs, strengthening the EU innovation brand around the world. Selected EIC-funded SMEs, startups and scale-ups from EU Member States and associated countries will have access to the programme.

The OTF Programme 2.0 is running throughout 2022 and 2023, offering EIC beneficiaries the opportunity to attend 15 international trade fairs in different sectors across EU and extra-EU markets (South-East Asia, the United Arab Emirates and the United States of America). Specifically, the trade fairs cover the following sectors:

In addition to maximising visibility onsite, the OTF 2.0 Programme enables EIC beneficiaries to:

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

The OTF 1.0 Programme allowed us to reach global markets, which otherwise would not have been possible. We were able establish a number of contacts in different countries overseas and the market response of our innovation completely exceeded our expectations.

Maria Irene Cardillo, Owner of A.E.C.I. and CEO of GREEN BLOCK

The OTF 2.0 is a continuation of the Pilot OTF Programme, which took place between 2017 and 2018. This facilitated the presence of EIC beneficiaries in 15 international trade fairs with a sectoral or cross-sectoral focus in 11 countries outside the EU. Moreover, the OTF 1.0 generated remarkable impact and it successfully allowed EU SMEs to gain precious insights about overseas markets as well as boost their growth potential.

All information related to the OTF 2.0 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 5500 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.

Find all the answers on the EIC OTF 2.0 programme in the FAQ below.