EIC Tech to Market Expert Network

The EIC Tech to Market Programme is looking for external experts to support on entrepreneurial trainings and venture-building activities. 

As part of the EIC Business Acceleration Services, the EIC Tech to Market Programme supports EIC Pathfinder and EIC Transition beneficiaries, Seal of Excellence holders, entities eligible for EIC Transition, and Women TechEU awardees in transforming breakthrough research into market-ready ventures.

What’s in it for Experts?

By joining the EIC Tech to Market Expert Network, you can contribute to the future of European deep tech while engaging with some of the most promising research-driven innovations at an early stage.

Experts can:

• A direct role in shaping Europe’s deep-tech ecosystem
• Early visibility into emerging ventures
• Opportunities to identify future partners, clients or investment prospects
• Strategic networking with researchers, entrepreneurs and fellow experts
• Recognition as a contributor within the EIC ecosystem

What roles will you be requested to perform?

The call is open to two distinct profiles: Mentors and Stakeholders. Both play a critical role at different stages of the Programme, from entrepreneurial training to venture-building activities. You may also indicate interest in both roles within your application.
 

Mentors – Supporting on value proposition validation

The Programme is building a pool of at least 200 mentors to voluntarily support and coach EIC beneficiaries to voluntarily support and coach EIC beneficiaries in validating the value proposition of their research projects.

Mentors work closely with research teams over a structured nine-week period, providing four one-hour mentoring sessions per cohort. Their role is to challenge assumptions, strengthen value propositions and guide teams through early-stage commercial thinking.

We are particularly looking for:

• Founders of deep-tech or technology-driven ventures
• Innovation managers and intrapreneurs
• Technology transfer and commercialisation experts
• EIC alumni and funded entrepreneurs
• Business coaches with experience in deep-tech venture creation

Mentors must bring relevant commercial experience, strategic facilitation skills, and the ability to operate confidently in English (C2 level). All mentors are onboarded through a dedicated webinar and receive methodological guidance before beginning their engagement. 

Stakeholders – Providing market reality checks

The Programme is building a pool of at least 300 Stakeholders to provide structured market feedback at two critical stages of the journey:

Business Idea Validation (part of EIC Entrepreneurial Trainings) 
Over the Business Idea Validation, research teams test and refine their value propositions through direct market interaction. Stakeholders act as market sounding boards - offering insight on customer needs, commercial viability and regulatory considerations.

Qualified profiles include:  

• Industry experts
• Corporate innovation or innovation strategy expert lead
• Investors (VC, CVC, angel, venture builder)
• Potential customers or end-users
• Regulatory or certification experts
• Potential partners for the solution development & commercialisation
• Successful deep tech founders

Exploration phase (part of EIC Venture Building Services) 

During this phase, projects are assessed for venture readiness and progression towards feasibility. Stakeholders may participate in structured assessments and pitch panels, contributing to high-level evaluations of venture potential and readiness for progression.

Qualified profiles have proven track record in one of the following areas:  

• VCs, angel investors, and deep-tech accelerators, particularly those engaged in early-stage commercialisation
• Technology transfer offices (TTOs) across leading European universities and research institutes and Incubators, Partnerships, and Innovation units within RTOs and public laboratories
• Corporate venture units and open innovation hubs across relevant sectors and technology domains (e.g., energy, AI, biotech, quantum, photonics) 

About The EIC Tech to Market Programme

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. 

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.