Healthcare start-ups, SMEs, hospitals, universities, and research institutions in 18 countries in the Central, Eastern and Southern European region now have the chance to fast-track their innovations to market through the brand-new SPICE programme, offering up to 160,000 euros in support for development, commercialisation, and mentoring for each team.
The programme mobilises the know-how, expertise, and capital within EIT Health’s vast network, the largest ecosystem of healthcare innovators in Europe, which applicants can now become a part of.
SPICE (Strategic Partnership Initiatives for Competitive Edge), initiated by EIT Health InnoStars, part of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union, aims to foster rapid market entry for leading-edge healthcare solutions.
SPICE offers up to 100,000 euros in in-kind tailored development and commercialisation services and an additional 60,000 euros in expert mentoring and coaching for up to 10 exceptional teams.
The call for applications is now open and will close on October 31. In this new programme, EIT Health InnoStars is looking for start-ups, SMEs, and other institutions from 18 countries covered by EIT’s Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS), where the rate of innovation tends to be more moderate than in Western and Northern Europe.
Eligible applicants—start-ups, universities, hospitals, SMEs, or research institutions—must present innovative healthcare solutions that have reached at least Technology Readiness Level 6 (TRL 6), meaning their solutions are in the prototype stage and have been demonstrated in a relevant environment.
This is a crucial step for companies ready to move beyond early development and towards real-world application and commercialisation.
Comprehensive support to scale up
Up to 100,000 euros per team will be available in the form of in-kind services provided by SPICE Implementing Partners, a handpicked group of experts from across Europe. These services will help participants address the most pressing challenges in their journey to market, including regulatory support, clinical validation, technology innovation, data privacy, and commercialisation strategy.
On top of the financial support, SPICE participants will benefit from expert mentoring and coaching tailored to their specific needs. With up to 60,000 euros allocated per team, participants will receive hands-on guidance from the EIT Health InnoStars Expert Pool, a network of leading healthcare professionals from across Europe. This mentoring will focus on overcoming the unique challenges of scaling healthcare innovations, from securing investment and navigating healthcare regulations.
“The SPICE programme opens new horizons for innovators from emerging regions of Europe,” said Alessio Smeraldo, EIT Health InnoStars Business Creation Lead.
“By providing access to tailored services and expert mentoring, SPICE will enable innovators to navigate the challenges of commercialisation in the healthcare sector and gain a competitive edge on the market. Our goal is to turn high-potential solutions into successful, scalable businesses that can thrive in the competitive European healthcare market.”
Forging long-lasting connections in an elite network
Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe has long been a hotbed of healthcare innovation, and the SPICE programme offers a unique chance for innovators to connect with a broader European network while gaining access to critical resources.
“One of the key benefits of SPICE is the opportunity for participants to become members of EIT Health InnoStars, Europe’s largest health innovation network,” added Smeraldo.
“Membership in this elite network grants access to a wide range of long-term resources, collaborative opportunities, and strategic partnerships that are essential for growing a successful healthcare business. SPICE participants will not only benefit from the immediate support of the programme but also from the long-lasting connections and opportunities available through EIT Health InnoStars.”
The SPICE programme is set to kick off by the end of 2024. and will run for a full year, offering continuous support to help teams refine and scale their healthcare innovations. More information is available at the programme’s dedicated website.
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