Want to Work With Europe's Next Unicorns? Here's How

Jan de Vries · 2026-07-20

Every year, the European Innovation Council (EIC) backs hundreds of promising startups and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These aren't just any companies. They're tackling some of society's biggest challenges, from clean energy and healthcare to artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and space technologies. These innovators have the potential to become Europe's next generation of success stories, helping strengthen the continent's long-term competitiveness. But here's the thing: funding is only part of the journey. As these companies grow, many look for specialist support in areas like fundraising, international expansion, intellectual property, and business planning. That's where the EIC Service Catalogue comes in. Think of it as a curated marketplace connecting EIC-backed innovators with trusted organizations that have the expertise they need to scale. And here's the opportunity for you: as the catalogue grows, so does the chance for organizations offering these specialist services. The EIC is now inviting more service providers to join. It's a chance to reach new clients, gain visibility, and become part of a network supporting some of Europe's most innovative companies. ### A Growing Marketplace of Opportunity As of mid-2026, the EIC Service Catalogue offers specialist services to more than 5,000 EIC-backed startups, SMEs, and research teams. It brings together around 300 trusted organizations from over 45 countries. That's a lot of potential clients. The catalogue covers everything from fundraising and business planning to internationalization, legal support, and access to R&D infrastructure. It helps innovators quickly find the expertise they need at different stages of growth. There are 12 discoverable categories, and users can also search by technology and location to find the best match. One organization that joined is Inveniam Group. Life Sciences Project Manager Claudia Fernandez Alegre explained the benefits: > "The biggest benefit would be that it has broadened our collaborators in terms of geography. If we were not an EIC partner, we would not have had collaborations with Northern European companies, for example, because we are based in Spain. This ecosystem has given us more geographical reach." She added: "The programme has basically brought us up to another level. We are now more visible in terms of the European ecosystem, and it has opened a lot of doors in terms of geography and partners." ### Beyond Visibility Plugging into the EIC Service Catalogue gives organizations the chance to connect directly with a wide network of EIC-backed startups, SMEs, and research teams looking for specialist support. From there, service providers can: - Create new business opportunities by offering services that may be eligible for co-funding through the EIC ACCESS+ scheme (more than 220 applications already approved) - Increase visibility by showcasing services through the official EIC Service Catalogue, used by more than 5,000 EIC awardees - Expand their network by taking part in official webinars, networking events, and community activities organized through the EIC Ecosystem Partnership Programme ### Who Is the EIC Looking For? The EIC wants established organizations that provide specialist services supporting innovation, commercialization, and business growth. This includes accelerators, incubators, venture builders, research and technology organizations, innovation agencies, technology parks, and other service providers working with innovative companies. Interested parties must have a proven track record of at least three years' operational experience and the ability to deliver high-quality services to innovative businesses across Europe. ### Take the First Step Don't let this unique opportunity pass you by. If your organization helps innovative companies overcome challenges and scale faster, apply now. Connect with Europe's most promising innovators while growing your own network and client base. Applications are open on a rolling basis, so there's no deadline pressure. But the sooner you apply, the sooner you can start working with Europe's next unicorns. [Apply to the EIC Service Catalogue](https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-service-catalogue)