Start-up image by Stock Rocket via Shutterstock
EU funding programme EuropeanPioneers is seeking 13 start-ups and SMEs from all over Europe to pitch ideas for a chance to receive equity-free funding of up to €250,000.
The accelerator is looking for projects from media sector start-ups and SMEs with innovative business models in the areas of smart cities, e-learning, pervasive gaming and social-connected TV.
EuropeanPioneers is just one of 16 accelerators that will distribute a total €80m to innovative companies on behalf of the European Union. The programme has already supported 12 companies, including Irish start-up UsherU, which built a camera app that will shortly launch in London.
“EuropeanPioneers has given us a distinct European outward-looking perspective. The network of great companies, mentors and potential partners will help us build a company ready for international expansion in the future, from a firm foundation of where it has put it now,” said UsherU CEO Oliver Fegan.
What to expect from EuropeanPioneers
Start-ups selected for the eight-month EuropeanPioneers programme will have access to European FIWARE and FICONTENT platforms, the latter of which offers ready-made components for developers working on smart-city services, social-connected TV and gaming.
“FIWARE technologies are helping us build a scalable platform for our business from day one, which has data analysis at the core,” said Fegan.
EuropeanPioneers also offers support from experienced coaches in areas such as concept and business-model development, user testing, team building, marketing and finance, as well as access to mentors and a strong network of useful Europe-wide business contacts.
ThoughtBox: here to help
“This is the final EuropeanPioneers call and we want to encourage Irish start-ups to take full advantage of this opportunity,” said Andreea Wade, EuropeanPioneers programme manager at ThoughtBox, the company selected to promote the incubator across Ireland and the UK.
“Ireland is, in many ways, lucky to have access to all sorts of funding opportunities and, in this case, it is lucky to have an Irish company supporting this initiative alongside five other entities based in Germany, Poland and Finland. Get in touch, we are here to help.”
Applications for EuropeanPioneers are open up to 22 June 2015 and can be submitted online. For help, consult the applicants’ guide.
Start-up image by Stock Rocket via Shutterstock
