EIC ACCESS+ matchmaking session highlights:
Connecting EIC awardees with EIC partners
April 30, 2026
On 23 April 2026, the EIC ACCESS+ Matchmaking Session ‘Spotlight on EIC Awardees’ Needs’ brought together selected EIC-backed start-ups and scale-ups and EIC Ecosystem Partners for an online networking event designed to accelerate collaboration across the innovation ecosystem. The session helped EIC Partners gain direct insight into the real and immediate challenges faced by innovators, while offering the opportunity to tailor their support offers and build strategic partnerships.
Organised under the EIC ACCESS+ initiative, the session was designed to connect EIC awardees with trusted EIC Partners offering their services through the EIC Service Catalogue, enabling service providers to better understand the concrete challenges faced by startups and scale-ups while identifying collaboration opportunities.
The session opened with an overview of the EIC ACCESS+ initiative, presenting how EIC awardees and Seal of Excellence holders can leverage the programme’s co-funding opportunities of up to EUR 60 000 cumulative support per beneficiary to access specialised services from EIC Ecosystem Partners through the EIC Service Catalogue.
Participants were also introduced to the added value of the EIC ACCESS+ Community Hub, which facilitates networking, visibility, direct engagement with EIC Partners, and future matchmaking opportunities tailored to innovators’ specific growth needs
The matchmaking session offered EIC Partners direct access to promising deep-tech innovators and the opportunity to better understand their immediate and pressing growth challenges.
Highlights included:
- First-hand insight into market needs from EIC-backed startups and scale-ups
- Early access to high-potential innovators seeking strategic support and partnerships
- Opportunities to showcase tailored services available through the EIC Service Catalogue
- Potential collaborations spanning R&D and prototyping, business acceleration, skills development, and access to funds
More than a networking event, the session created a focused environment where innovation demand met expert support, driving meaningful, targeted collaboration.
Start-ups in the spotlight
The session featured seven EIC-backed innovators across multiple sectors, each represented by key decision-makers and founders who presented their current priorities and growth needs.
Presented by Roberto Pangallo, Corporate Affairs and PMO. Wooptix showcased its advanced semiconductor metrology solutions and highlighted ambitions linked to industrial expansion, global operations, and fundraising for a new manufacturing facility.
Presented by Ziv Zwighaft, Co-Founder and CEO. Ambrosia Bio develops cost-effective allulose, healthy sugar replacements and specialty ingredients. Aiming to reach TRL 7, they are raising EUR 1.5 million Pre-Series A funding to secure regulatory milestones, and onboard strategic partners.
Presented by Dimitris Niarchos, Scientific Advisor. AMEN New Technologies is developing magnetic powders based on rare-earth free elements and currently seeking access to a suitable lab environment for upscaling fabrication. The company outlined its innovation roadmap and support needs linked to commercialisation and growth.
Presented by Hamidreza Neshasteh, Associate Researcher at CNRS and CEO of LighTrim. The team introduced the LighTrim project on enabling AI, quantum and sensing with photonic chips at scale, highlighting their needs in IP transfer, fundraising, and industry partnerships.
Presented by Boris Fackovec, CEO. Inovec Technology is an AI-driven computer vision company that transforms standard cameras into reliable real-time data systems for industrial environments, enabling manufacturers to rapidly digitise factories, warehouses, and production processes. The company explored collaboration opportunities to accelerate growth and market positioning.
Presented by Gergana Stancheva, Co-Founder and COO. LAM’ON is a manufacturing and R&D company developing bio-based, compostable packaging solutions designed to replace conventional flexible plastic packaging. As it prepares for international expansion and fundraising round, LAM’ON is seeking pilot clients, distributors, converting partners, investment readiness support, and access to laboratories and certification readiness expertise to further their development.
Presented by Catarina Custodio, CEO. Metatissue is a biotech spin-off from the University of Aveiro developing human-based biomaterials for advanced 3D cell culture and preclinical drug testing. Using proteins derived from widely available human tissues such as expired blood units and placentas, the company offers scalable alternatives to traditional animal-based testing materials. Metatissue is seeking to raise EUR 3.5 million for business development, product development and to accelerate expansion.
Strengthening EIC partnerships through specialised support
The session moderated by the EIC ACCESS+ team, featured the contribution of Gisela Santos, representing the EIC Business Acceleration Services (EIC BAS), presenting the support mechanisms available for innovators and the role of the EIC Service Catalogue in connecting companies to specialised European providers across sectors and technology domains.
The session aimed to connect innovators with expert partners that can accelerate the growth of their deep-tech ventures. From fundraising and international expansion to manufacturing scale-up, certification, and strategic partnerships, the needs presented during the session reflected the real challenges faced by innovators, while the ongoing EIC ACCESS+ Open Call can help address these needs by supporting access to specialised services from trusted EIC Partners through co-funding opportunities.