From Research to Innovation
Opportunities in EIE & FSTP
General Introductory Webinar
12 Mar 2024
Funding opportunities for transforming research findings into innovative solutions
Turkey in Horizon 2020/HE Project

Our objectives:
  • Raise awareness of Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe R&I programmes.
  • Provide the Turkish Research Area with training, networking events, valuable documentation, and online tools.
  • Strengthen the capacity of Turkey in science, technology, and innovation.
  • Facilitate the integration of the Turkish Research Area into the European Research Area.
Training Events
  • Introductory
  • Focus Groups
  • IPR
  • Access to Risk Finance
  • Webinars
  • Project Writing Camps
SME Support
  • 1-to-1 Support
  • Project Writing Training
  • Pitching Workshop
  • Feasibility Reports
  • Investment Readiness
Networking
  • Brokerage Events
  • International Study Visits
  • Award Ceremonies
  • Conferences
  • Info Days
Tools
  • Website
  • Helpdesk
  • Training Guides

YouTube

TurkeyinH2020 II

The official channel of "Turkey in Horizon 2020 Phase II" project. This account was produced with the financial support of the European Union and the Turkish Republic. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the consortium led by International Development Ireland (IDI) LTD and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union. https://ufukavrupa.org.tr/

th2020.zendesk.com

Turkey in H2020 | Helpdesk

Our Team
Odysseas Spyroglou
Innovation | Technology | R&D | Capacity Building | Technical Assistance
  • Engineering (AUTH, GR), ICT (Leicester U, UK) and Financial (LSE, UK) background.
  • 23+ years of working experience in R&I, EU funds, capacity building in 6+ countries (Greece, Ireland, Turkey, Bahrain, Serbia, Israel)
  • Successfully implemented over 70 projects of +100m € value.
  • Specialise in Digital Transformation, Innovation Management, Risk Finance, Project Management & Quality, Intellectual Property and reengineering business processes.
  • Long term Mentor & Coach in over 30 companies.
  • Experience as Non-Executive Director in public (Listed) companies.
Opportunities beyond Research Actions

European Innovation Ecosystems

​EIE aims to create and expand interconnected, inclusive, and efficient innovation ecosystems that support the scaling of companies and spur innovation to address important challenges in a responsible way. ​ Why Researchers should be interested? Access to Funding: EIE will help bridge the gap between research and commercialisation. Real-World Impact and Validation: build industry collaborations or market-focused initiatives. Researchers can test their findings in practical settings, receive essential feedback. Enhanced Networking and Collaboration: work with a wide array of stakeholders, including technology experts, investors, potential end-users, and other researchers with complementary expertise. Build partnerships, new ideas, accelerate innovation. Development of Entrepreneurial Skills: EIE initiatives provide business training, mentorship, and other resources for researchers seeking to gain or improve their entrepreneurial skills.

Cascading Funding

or FSTP: Financial Support to Third Parties What is it? a mechanism for distributing EU funds aimed at bridging the gap between research and practical applications. Researchers or organizations that win Horizon Europe grants can act as intermediaries. They receive the initial funding and then re-distribute it (cascade) to others: smaller businesses, startups, or individual researchers. Goal: support uptake or development of digital innovations based on the original research. Why Researchers should be interested? Access to funding: opportunities to secure financial support for innovative projects and ideas. Flexibility and agility: FSTP designed to be more agile and flexible compared to traditional research grants, allowing researchers to adapt projects to changing market conditions or new developments. Validation and recognition: FSTP (through a competitive open call) serves as validation and recognition of the quality and potential impact of a research idea ready to be commercialised. Commercialisation support: access additional support services, such as mentorship, business development assistance, and access to specialised facilities, to help researchers translate findings into commercially viable products or services. Exposure and networking: Connects researchers to industry partners, investors, and potential collaborators, building valuable connections and networking opportunities and access to broader networks of resources, expertise, and potential partners. Entrepreneurial experience: For researchers interested in entrepreneurship or commercialisation, FSTP offers experience in areas such as market validation, business planning, and pitching to investors.

Understanding European Innovation Ecosystems
What is an Innovation Ecosystem?
An ecosystem that:
  • brings together people or organisations whose goal is innovation,
  • links resources (funds, equipment, and facilities), organisations (HEI, R&I and technology organisations, companies, venture capitalists and financial intermediaries), investors and policymakers.
Why? To address the Global challenges

What are the problems we focus on today?

Aim NOT to find solutions, but to build the networks and links that will find the solutions.

What are the future global challenges ?

The most important challenges in the next 3 years Climate change Energy supply Loss of biodiversity Strained healthcare systems and ageing European population Global competition for technological leadership Global instability and EU societalpreparedness forlarge-scale disruptions Social justice Migration flows Strategic Plan 2025-2027 Analysis

Identifying the Problem
What are the challenges EIE & FSTP trying to solve?
1
Poor R&I to Market needs
R&I Start-ups struggle to identify genuine market demands. Linkages between Research, Academia with market inadequate.
2
Difficult Access to Finance
Securing funds critical for growth and innovation, is difficult, for Research Teams and early stage spinoffs, access to the banking system almost non-existent.
3
Fragmented Innovation Ecosystem
Cross-border collaboration and networking. Insufficient Knowledge Transfer & Entrepreneurial Development
4
Limited Access to Advanced R&I Infrastructure & Investments
Lack of synergies in resources and guidance on leveraging national, regional, and European funds.
5
Skill Gaps in R&I Intensive Domains
Training and skill development closing the gap between current competencies and industry needs.
Sources

European Economic and Social Committee

2021 – What challenges and opportunities are ahead for European SMEs?

The COVID-19 crisis has severely hit SMEs across Europe, many of which risk being swept out of business in its wake. While the impact of the crisis depends on the sector in which the SME operate and on the restrictions and financial support of the Member State, COVID19 continues to pose uncertainty to all. There is a clear risk that many SMEs lost due to this pandemic will be lost for good.

McKinsey & Company

Europe's start-up ecosystem: Heating up, but still facing challenges

More start-ups in Europe are achieving unicorn status, and at a faster pace, but many more still aren’t realizing their full potential. What’s holding them back, and what can change that?

Understanding Innovation Acceleration
What is it?
Speeding up development and commercialisation of ideas, technologies, products.
Intensive support mechanisms:
  • Mentorship/Coaching
  • Technical Support
  • Training
  • Networking
  • Access to Funding
Why is it necessary?
Bridge the gap between research and market
  • Ensure innovative solar technologies reach commercialisation faster.
  • Foster innovative ideas and technologies at an early stage when access to resources is scarce.
How it works?
Dynamic, agile, rapid iteration.
  • Embracing failures as learning opportunities
  • Pivoting strategies based on market feedback.
Benefits for Researchers & early startups/spinoffs
Training and Education
Access to a broad range of training sessions…
…on solar technologies, business model development, market analysis, and financial planning, tailored to the solar energy sector.
Mentoring and Coaching
Personalized guidance from industry professionals…
…and subject matter experts, offering insights, advice, and feedback to help refine business strategies and technology development.
Networking
Connecting with a diverse network…
…of entrepreneurs, and investors, industry leaders, and potential partners, opening doors to new collaborations, customer bases, and investment opportunities.
Access to Infrastructure / Technologies
Exclusive access to supporting infrastucrure …
…or technologies like APIs, Pilots, Pre-Designs.
Market Entry and Expansion Support
Strategic assistance in entering new markets…
…and expanding existing ones, including market research, positioning strategies, and sales plan development tailored to the solar energy industry.
Sustainability and Growth Focused
Emphasis on building sustainable and scalable business models…
…ensuring long-term viability and growth potential in the rapidly evolving solar energy sector.
How it works?
In both cases (EIE or FSTP) when either services (EIE) or Funding (FSTP) is offered process is similar:
1
Consortium setup up framework
Winning consortium sets up rules: scope, targets, eligibility criteria, evaluation process, pools of experts (mentors, evaluators, coaches etc.)
2
Application: Open Call
Publicly inviting potential applicants to participate (Researchers, Entrepreneurs, Startups, SMEs).
3
Selection: Evaluation
Independent Experts evaluate the proposals and select the most appropriate & mature applicants.
4
Acceleration: Support and/or FSTP
  • Implementation of trainings, mentoring and coaching, networking, access to knowledge assets of consortium.
  • Cascading funding (FSTP)
5
Demonstration & Networking
Closing (usually) with an Open Day event to demonstrate the progress, attract investors, network and brokerage.
How can you participate in EIE?

Be a partner in a EIE project

Participate as a Research or Research Support Partner in one of the EIE calls. Don't forget synergies with WIDERA calls. [EIE] Interconnected Innovation Ecosystems 2024 Aim: Create & expand more connected, inclusive, and efficient innovation ecosystems (IE) that support the scaling of companies and spur innovation to address important challenges in a responsible way. Strengthen and expand cooperation between innovation players, foster efficient, inclusive, and gender-diverse ecosystems, and ensure openness and cross-fertilization of the IE within and beyond the EU's borders. Title Call ID Deadline Budget Per Project Projects The African Union-European Union Innovation Platform HORIZON-EIE-2024-CONNECT-01-01 25 April 2024 2.500.000 1 Startup Europe HORIZON-EIE-2024-CONNECT-01-02 25 April 2024 1.500.000 6 Expanding Academia-Enterprise Collaborations HORIZON-EIE-2024-CONNECT-02-01 19 September 2024 500.000 5 Mutual learning and support scheme for national and regional innovation programmes HORIZON-EIE-2024-CONNECT-02-02 19 September 2024 100.000 10 TH2020 European Innovation Ecosystems 2024 Connect-02-01 - Expanding Academia-Enterprise Collaborations Deadline: 19 September 2024 Budget per project: 500.000 Project (to be funded): 5 Call Aim Encourage educational and research institutions to become more involved in innovation and entrepreneurship. Integrating these institutions more deeply into the innovation ecosystems and economic value chains by aligning their strengths and visions with regional needs and specialties. Educational and research institutions’ assets and vision are articulated clearly and in line with respective regional specialisations (such as smart specialisation strategies), so they can easily be integrated into innovation ecosystems and economic value chains. Expected Outcomes Boost Innovation Ecosystems: through closer ties between educational/research institutions and the broader innovation ecosystem, including startups, investors, and incubators. Enhance Knowledge and Skill Flow: by the exchange of knowledge, skills, and talent between educational entities and innovation actors, especially in deep tech areas. Upgrade Skills for Innovation: improve digital, green, entrepreneurial, and networking skills among all ecosystem participants to boost innovation and market adoption of new technologies. Connect Educational Institutions with Tech Infrastructures: Facilitates educational institutions' access to high-quality testing and scaling facilities for innovations across the EU. Empower Innovators: Enhances the ability of students, graduates, and researchers to launch and manage successful startups, focusing on deep tech sectors. Support Local Talent and Entrepreneurship: Increases the availability of locally skilled talents to boost business acceleration, digitalization, and entrepreneurial activity, aiming for sustainable and inclusive growth. Improve Collaborations and Engagement: Encourages greater interaction among educational institutions, tech transfer offices, businesses, and other innovation actors to foster regional innovation. Boost Youth Employability and Gender Balance: Aims to increase job opportunities for young people and improve gender balance in academia-enterprise collaborations. Target Groups Research and innovation (vocational schools, higher education institutions) Public authorities in the field of education and employment Innovation agencies SMEs, deep tech companies, European Innovation Council (EIC) and (EIT) start-ups and industry, Research performing organisations, Knowledge and technology transfer offices and associations Students and researchers. Expected Impact (Destination) Consortia must work closely with innovation agencies from respective territories and beyond, and seek synergies with relevant EU initiatives in the field of university-business cooperation (Erasmus+, EIT (KICs), EIT Initiative on Innovation Capacity Building for Higher Education. Build Connected Innovation Networks: Strengthen EU-wide innovation by linking diverse regions and groups, focusing on societal challenges like sustainability and digital transformation. Enhance Cross-border Collaboration: Boost cooperation across regions to support sustainable and digital economic growth, promoting EU self-reliance. Expand Global Partnerships: Strengthen worldwide connections between innovation communities. Promote Equality in Innovation: Ensure equal opportunities in innovation, focusing on gender inclusivity. Reduce Innovation Access Gap: Minimize disparities in innovation support across different regions. Expected Activities Co-designed programmes of activities of at least two (2) years, By Educational & research institutions, R&I actors Private sector from innovation hubs From Emerging’ and ‘moderate’ innovation ecosystems Strong innovators’ and ‘innovation leaders’ to ensure better connectedness between higher education institutions and research organisation with other actors of innovation ecosystems: Engagement of business experts into the implementation of networking activities and building innovation ecosystem around the university/research institution; Engagement of students, graduates, researchers and workforce from various disciplines and departments into IE ➜ networking and building networks around educational and research institutions as centres of gravity, and engaging in companies’ structures and business processes; Engagement of students and researchers in start-ups from both their immediate local environment and beyond (regional, national, transnational) working with various actors from the innovation ecosystem to experience what starting and running a venture entails, such as raising funds, pitching events, creating, editing, and adapting business models in the creation process from idea to market, etc.; Creation of synergies between students, graduates, researchers, innovators, education institutes, research performing organisations, and business partners, locally, at EU level, and globally targeting the creation of networks and communities of practices in the field of deep tech to stimulate the market uptake of results and new technologies, as well as their co-creation. Further Reading EntreComp: The entrepreneurship competence framework Pilot Call: HEI Initiative - Innovation Capacity Building for Higher Education | EIT

Be a beneficiary of EIE Services

Usually no FSTP, BUT a lot of services. Not very easy to find these opportunities. Check out the projects in Cordis: CORDIS | European Commission Follow the announcements: European Innovation Ecosystems Dig in: European Innovation Ecosystems datahub

How can you participate in FSTP?

Be a partner in a project

(As a Research Institution). Acts as a knowledge provider and potential mentor for beneficiaries of the cascading funds. Contribute with some intellectual or knowledge assets act are useful to the innovation process (e.g. management platforms, predesigns, blueprints). Provide technical support to a specific topic. Calls with FSTP component Title Call ID Deadline Budget Per Project Projects Stimulating transnational research and development of next generation quantum technologies, including basic theories and components (Cascading grant with FSTP) HORIZON-CL4-2024-DIGITAL-EMERGING-01-42 19 Mar 2024 15.000.000 1 Startup Europe HORIZON-EIE-2024-CONNECT-01-02 25 April 2024 1.500.000 6 Find more: Funding & tenders

Be a beneficiary of FSTP Services

Find a call that interests you. Study the call for proposals. Check your eligibility. See what you will get from the program. FSTP usually < 60.000 € (Lump Sum) Study the evaluation criteria. (Idea, Technology, Entrepreneurial Spirit, Impact, Implementation, Team). Prepare and submit your application. IF successful you will sign a Sub-Grant Agreement.

Where to find calls?

ec.europa.eu

Funding & tenders

The Funding and Tenders Portal is the single entry point (the Single Electronic Data Interchange Area) for applicants, contractors and experts in funding programmes and procurements managed by the European Commission.

Do not ignore some private platforms:

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Sploro

Cascade Funding - Sploro

Cascade funding is a simple mechanism the European Commission has brought forward to support smaller players in the innovation arena

FundingBox | We champion entrepreneurs to rewrite their future

Communities Box | FundingBox | We champion entrepreneurs to rewrite their future

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Thank you.
Office Address
Turkey in Horizon 2020 Project
And Sokak 8/12 Akasya Apt. 06680 Çankaya/Ankara
06520 Çankaya/Ankara,Turkey
Tel: +90 312 467 61 40
Contact: o.spyroglou@idi.ie