European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA)

For the first time, two become one. The SME Assembly and European Cluster Conference unite in Dublin under the Irish Presidency. 🗓️ 2–4 November 2026 Registrations are open 👉 https://lnkd.in/gbE3ksNH #SMECAssembly2026 #EUSMEWeek

The EU-India relationship is entering a new chapter, and the opportunities for cluster and SME partnerships have never been greater. The European Cluster Collaboration Platform's EU-India Matchmaking Mission returns to New Delhi and Greater Noida on 21–23 October 2026, hosted alongside the Renewable Energy India Expo. Here is why you should apply: 🤝 A proven track record: since 2024, two editions have generated over 230 pre-arranged meetings between European clusters and Indian counterparts 🎤 Real exposure: pitch your expertise, visit key exhibitors at Asia's leading clean energy expo and join curated stand tours tailored to your sectoral interests 🔬 Concrete collaboration: identify RDI partnership opportunities between your cluster members and Indian industry, academia and research organisations Plug in to: Renewable energy | Clean tech | Smart grids | Electric mobility | Green finance 📅 21–23 October 2026, New Delhi & Greater Noida Apply by 31 August to join the mission: https://lnkd.in/dAv5WPV8 #ECCP #EUClusters #ECCPMatchmaking

The #EUCapitalsofSmallRetail Awards are about more than recognition. They're about learning from one another. As part of the European Small Retail Exchange Programme, winning and shortlisted cities are now visiting each other to exchange ideas, share best practices, and explore new ways to support local retail. Bringing together city officials, retailers, business associations and city centre managers, these visits focus on key topics such as sustainability, digitalisation, entrepreneurship support, and vibrant city centres. The first exchanges are already underway:  📍 Silla (Spain) visited Makarska (Croatia)  📍 Braga (Portugal) visited Caldas da Rainha (Portugal)   📍 Zaragoza visited Barcelona (Spain)   Want to be a part of this year’s European Small Retail competition?  >> register here: https://lnkd.in/gVPG4q4E #RevitaliseRetail EU Business

🎥 Join the final webinar: Supporting Women Entrepreneurs - Reflections from Our Role Models As we conclude the Supporting Women Entrepreneurs webinar series, this final session brings together our role models - founders, innovators, and changemakers working across sectors such as deep-tech, med-tech, climate-tech, robotics, construction innovation, social entrepreneurship, and more: - Angela Ivanova, CEO & Co-Founder, LAM’ON® Compostable Films - Gergana Stancheva, Co-Founder and COO, LAM’ON® Compostable Films - Thelma Annweiler, CEO & Co-founder, Arctech Robotics - Mariia Alipatova, Co-founder, Tova Industries - Oliwia Myczkowska, Co-founder & CEO, BEE HEALTHY HONEY - Pauline Bellec, CEO & Co-founder, coat-ing - Yasmina Khababi, founder, Freshtable - Moderator: Lorena van de Kolk, Managing Partner at Schuttelaar & Partners Rather than individual presentations, this interactive session will focus on: 🔹 Shared insights from their entrepreneurial journeys
🔹 Common challenges in starting and scaling ventures
🔹 What it takes to succeed in ESTEAM fields today Importantly, the discussion will connect these real-life experiences with the findings of the report “Women Entrepreneurs in Europe: Data, barriers, and recommendations for support.” Together, we will reflect on how key policy recommendations - on access to finance, skills, structural support and visibility - play out in practice. 📅 23 September 2026, 13:00–14:30 CEST
 🎥 Format: Live webinar (with discussion and Q&A) 👉 Register here: https://lnkd.in/dzeHJZvP #ESTEAM #SupportingWomenEntrepreneurs

📢 The #I3Instrument calls for proposals - Strand 1 & 2a - aim to support interregional innovation investments by offering consortia of innovation actors from the quadruple helix ecosystems the necessary financial & advisory support to bring their innovations to a mature level, ready for scale-up and commercialisation. Submit your proposal by 12 November 2026 ↙️ https://lnkd.in/eDDUUJPV

EISMEA had a significant presence at The Impact Circle and Love Tomorrow this week! 👏 Both the EIC - European Innovation Council and Enterprise Europe Network actively organised two days of curated business development, connecting innovators, corporates, and investors. Our director, Momchil Sabev, LL.M.(KCL), spoke on how the EIC should be the starting point for anyone looking to do business in deep-tech. The EEN supported on-site matchmaking activities, helping companies, start-ups and innovators build relevant contacts for partnerships, investment, trade and knowledge exchange. Network partners also took part in the programme with a session on financing for start-ups and on how innovation ecosystems can help bring bold ideas closer to real impact, A key takeaway came from EIC Board member Victoria Hernandez Valcarcel, who emphasized: "Technology does not determine human destiny - our response to it does." Thanks to all who participated and joined us.

From a pitch at the SME Assembly to the EIC Summit in Brussels. That's what the Youth Start-Up Challenge did for Gonçalo Ribeiro 🚀 Could you be next? The top 3 pitch live at the SME & Clusters Assembly. The winner goes to the EIC Summit 2027. #YSC2026 👉 https://lnkd.in/gBA3wX_N

EU-funded RIVCircular project’s cascade funding call is open till 17 September! The project supports interregional innovation projects in circular economy (TRL 6-8) on one of the following 5 topics: 🏗️ Construction and demolition waste (CDW) circularity, ♻️ Circular Energy Integration: valorising local waste streams for industrial efficiency, 🚙 Electric vehicles (EV) batteries recycling and reuse, 👚 Circular economy in the textile industry, 💻 Digital solutions for circular economy. Learn more & apply here: https://lnkd.in/eNeHuw6c #EUInnovationEcosystems

📩 Stay connected with the latest developments from the #I3Instrument Support Facility! Join the community and receive: 🔹 updates on the latest I3 Instrument funding opportunities 📅 invitations to events, webinars and matchmaking activities 🤝 information on the support services available through the I3 Instrument Support Facility 💡 stories, insights and good practices from I3 Instrument projects across Europe Whether you are a public authority, SME, cluster, research organisation or innovation stakeholder, the newsletter helps you stay informed and make the most of the opportunities offered by the I3 Instrument. 👉 Subscribe today & join the growing I3 Instrument community: https://lnkd.in/g_52YbSb