Bridging the gap between EIC partners and innovators: Insights from the EIC ACCESS+ Peer-Learning Workshop #2
July 2, 2025
On 24 June 2025, EIC ACCESS+ hosted its second peer-learning workshop, bringing together EIC Ecosystem Partners and EIC-backed innovators for a dynamic exchange aimed at aligning the offers available in the EIC Service Catalogue with the EIC beneficiaries’ needs, and enhancing their visibility. This session built upon the outcomes of the first peer learning workshop held during the EIC Partners Day at the EIC Summit 2025, further deepening the collective reflection on how to bridge the gap between deep-tech innovators and the tailored support services they need to scale.
Collaborative dialogue and co-design
The workshop began with welcome remarks from Gisela Santos, Project Adviser at the EIC, and a short presentation from Tedora Aibu from the EIC Ecosystem Partnership Programme. Both emphasised the vital role of educational marketing in addressing the unique communication challenges within the deep-tech innovation community.
The session featured an insightful presentation outlining the core findings from previous discussions, underscoring the shift from traditional promotional strategies to an educational approach aimed at building trust and communicating the value of the services offered.
Following an introductory presentation by the EIC ACCESS+ team, the participants joined five working groups where they exchanged perspectives on service visibility and ways to strengthen interaction with between EIC beneficiaries and EIC Ecosystem Partners.
The group discussions focused on expressing critical needs, collaboration experiences, setting priorities for future thematic sessions, and identifying value-driven communication formats.
Towards a new series of knowledge-driven sessions
The concluding plenary brought together the contributions of all groups and sketched the next steps for a series of community-oriented knowledge sessions, which will engage interested EIC Service Providers.
As the EIC ACCESS+ Open Call continues to provide up to EUR 60 000 in co-financing for accessing services listed in the EIC Service Catalogue, it becomes increasingly vital that beneficiaries are well-informed, confident, and strategic in their service selection.
Workshops such as this one play a key role in reinforcing that objective, empowering both sides of the ecosystem to collaborate more effectively and move beyond transactional interactions towards meaningful, value-based partnerships.
The second EIC ACCESS+ Peer Learning Workshop reinforced the importance of moving beyond visibility as a goal and embracing value-centred, tailor-made and educational approaches to engagement. By fostering mutual understanding and collaboration, the EIC ACCESS+ initiative continues to bridge the gap between services and the deep-tech ventures they are meant to empower.
About the EIC ACCESS+ project
EIC ACCESS+ is an EIC Business Acceleration Services (BAS) initiative aimed at empowering deep-tech start-ups and innovators across Europe. An open call launched in November 2024 offers up to 60,000 EUR in grants, covering up to 50% of the costs, to access specialised services from the EIC Service Catalogue for deep-tech startups and SMEs. Companies can use the funds to access vital resources to accelerate their growth and scale their innovation. EIC Awardees and Seal of Excellence holders (Horizon Europe only) can apply until 31 May 2026. To be eligible for the grant, the services must be completed before 30 June 2025.
Please visit the FAQ page for any questions about the EIC ACCESS+ initiative. Details about the funding and a complete list of eligibility criteria can be found on the project website. For any other questions, please contact our helpdesk at help@eicaccessplus.eu.
About the EIC Ecosystem Partnership Programme
The EIC Service Catalogue is brought to you by the EIC Ecosystem Partnership Programme, part of the EIC Business Acceleration Services. This programme is creating a network of partner organisations to address one of the greatest challenges for EIC innovators: accessing specialised sector-focused services. By forging new strategic partnerships with key actors such as business accelerators, incubators, research and training organisations, the EIC helps its beneficiaries access their resources, facilities and expertise so that no individual need is left unaddressed.
For any questions or technical issues concerning the programme or this session, please contact us through the EIC Community’s contact page with the subject ‘EIC Ecosystem Partnership Programme’ or contact our helpdesk at eicpartnerships-helpdesk@eic-bas.eu.
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