カテゴリー: Calls

The application form will be open from Wednesday, 21st July at 17h CET.

The selected applications will receive a financial support of 12,000 EUR. 

Proposals must favour the sustainable transition of the sector, through the circular economy but also social innovation. 

Interested candidates will have until October 13th to send in their applications.

Registration link to the infodays: http://registration.nextextilgeneration.eu/

On Wednesday 21st of July at 17h CET and next Wednesday, 28th of July, the CircularInnoBooster project is holding two Infoday sessions regarding the opening of the call for proposals for interested SMEs, startups and entrepreneurs from the fashion and textile sector to apply to be part of its CirCoAX accelerator. 

The application form will be available to potential candidates from Wednesday 21st of July and the call will close the 13th October 2021.

CircularInnoBooster Fashion and Textile (F&T) is a project of the COSME programme of the European Union, with an initial duration of two years and a budget of €1,128,000.  It is 75% co-financed by the European Commission. Led by the IED (Istituto Europeo di Design), together with the Finnova Foundation, Texfor, Circulab and The Circular Project with HumanNation, it aims to transform the highly polluting fashion and textile industries through innovation, fostering entrepreneurship to generate business models based on the circular economy, turning SMEs and start-ups into sustainable and circular companies. Through the regenerative economy model, the project aims to become a benchmark for the total transformation of the industry, from raw materials to the end of life of the garments, providing a solution to the structural problems of conventional industry. 

In addition, the project has an important social perspective, favouring the creation of value-added jobs at all levels of production, contributing to the achievement of several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as the end of poverty, zero hunger and gender equality.  

To achieve these objectives, the CirCoAX accelerator has been created to provide SMEs with both financial and business support to enable them to scale their proposals. The business model of the applications must favour the circular economy, being able to focus on any of the areas of the Fashion Design and making, Textile Industry, Education & Research, Dissemination and Communities & Platforms. Likewise, applications that provide social innovation will be positively assessed.

In the presentation of the call, which will be led by Sharam Yalda, founder of HumanNation and project manager of CircularInnoBooster, the representatives of the different partners of the project will introduce the key points that candidates must meet to be selected. 

Following the submission of applications, which will close on 13 October 2021, the 30 most disruptive candidates selected will receive a €12,000 grant to scale their innovative ideas. In addition, thanks to the team of industry experts that make up the project, the beneficiaries will have access to mentoring, as well as training and workshops in which best practices to be implemented throughout the value chain will be shared. In addition, marketing knowledge and business plans will be offered to ensure the success and sustainability of the projects once the programme has ended. 

Participation in this accelerator not only helps to receive support at various levels to implement new business models in line with an ecological and circular transition of fashion and textiles, but also gives them the opportunity to set themselves up as benchmark projects on a European scale.

About COSME

COSME is the program for the Competitiveness of Small and Medium Enterprises of the Executive Agency for Small and Medium Enterprises (EASME) of the European Commission.

Through this program, assistance is offered to SMEs to develop their business models, access financing and internationalize. Likewise, support is offered to public administrations to improve the business environment and facilitate economic growth in the European Union. During the 2014-2020 funding period, this program allocated 2.3 billion euros to support SMEs.

About IED 

The Istituto Europeo di Design is an academic institution that operates in the fields of education, training, and research in the disciplines of design, fashion, visual communication, and management, covering professional, vocational, and business design training. IED has branches across Spain (Madrid, Barcelona), Italy (Milan, Rome, and 5 other cities), and Brazil (São Paolo, Rio de Janeiro). It operates across several EU and COSME countries through collaborations and agreements with institutions, business support organizations, professors, experts, and mentors with whom it has established relationships. IED draws on a broad network of connections in the F&T sector specifically for this project, drawing on R&D in the areas of fashion design, product design, interior design, visual arts, communications, and management.

https://iedmadrid.com/

About Finnova

FINNOVA is a foundation that works for the promotion and development of innovation and entrepreneurship at the EU level. With headquarters in Brussels, it operates through collaborations and partnerships across EU countries. FINNOVA expertise in leading communication and dissemination activities for EU projects is coupled with strong proven experience in setting up businesses and entrepreneurial support programmes, like accelerators, incubators and selection and award/ceremonial events.

https://web.finnovaregio.org/

About Texfor

TEXFOR is the reference textile association in Spain with 400 members. Founded in November 2010 and located in Catalonia, it groups companies of the whole textile value chain, from yarns to fabrics including accessories, finishing processes, printing and dying for the apparel industry, home textiles, and technical/industrial applications. Texfor has specialization and experience, having worked on important EU-level expert committees: University and Vocational Training, Financial capacity building, Cross-Sectoral collaboration, R+D+I promotion, specialized services, and sustainability leadership focused on the circular economy.

https://www.texfor.es/

About Circulab

CIRCULAB is a business design lab and studio specialised in developing transformation methodology, tools and programmes to help businesses develop circular and sustainable business models. CIRCULAB has designed a toolkit for implementing Circularity in businesses and operates across +23 countries (9 EU countries), supporting projects through +60 certified independent CE consultants, applying the Circ methodology and tools.

https://circulab.com/ 

About The Circular Project co-designed with HumanNation

TCP (The Circular Project) favours and promotes a circular and sustainable fashion in different areas, offering the fashion industry a communication strategy based on a cross-cutting and systemic approach of the circular economy. TCP combines social, ethical, environmental and economic aspects, and has a strong presence and connections in the sustainable fashion world. TCP has promoted the Circular Sustainable Fashion Week Madrid, a one-of-a-kind event, and also serves as HQ for the Spanish Association for the Sustainability, Innovation and Circularity in the Fashion Industry. TCP is also an ambassador of Sannas (Triple Bottom Line Business Association) and has collaborated in a wide array of Spanish, European and Latin American institutions and enterprises.

For this project, The Circular Project works with HumanNation for the co-design and development of the project. HumanNation is a consulting firm specialised in the development of transformative and disruptive ecosystems of innovation and business: the ‘New Economy’. Based on the Fourth Economic Sector, systemic thinking and co-creation, it promotes awareness within organizations and ecosystems to respect planetary boundaries and social fabric, creating resilient economies at the local level, with a global perspective.

https://thecircularproject.com/

https://humannation.earth

Brussels, 01.04.2021-. Finnova Foundation and Startup Europe Awards wanted to lend a hand to all those entrepreneurs with disruptive ideas who wish to participate in the latest Horizon Europe call for proposals, and to do so they have searched for the different grants that Belgium offer for this purpose. But first of all, for those who might not know it… What is Horizon Europe?

Horizon Europe is a €95.5 billion financial instrument (including €5.4 billion Next Generation EU fund) implemented by the European Union in favour of innovation and research and whose aim is to ensure Europe’s global competitiveness. Besides, Horizon Europe is seen as a powerful tool to boost economic growth and job creation and has the political support of European leaders and Members of the Parliament who state that “research and innovation are an investment in our future!

By combining research and innovation, Horizon Europe promotes business growth and employment in a smart, sustainable and inclusive approach, underscoring excellent science, industrial leadership and the social challenges we currently face.

The aim is to ensure that the European Union develop world-class science, removes barriers to innovation and makes it easier for the public and private sector to work together to generate innovation.

Moreover, thanks to its simple structure with reduced bureaucracy, Horizon Europe is open to all and allows participants to concentrate on what is really important, ensuring that new projects get off the ground quickly and achieve results faster.

And now, entrepreneurs, do you want to know what grants Belgium offers SMEs when applying for Horizon Europe?

1. EIC Accelerator

EIC Accelerator is addressed to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups that are developing disruptive innovation projects and are looking for additional financial support to complete their research and development from the prototype phase to a full commercial product.

This programme aims to identify and support cutting-edge technologies and innovations capable of international scalability. It is open to companies from any EU Member State or an associated country. Projects must have a duration of between 12 and 24 months.

The EIC Accelerator supports SMEs (<250 employees and <50M turnover) through a non-repayable grant of 0.5 to 2.5 million at 70% for the development of their innovative projects, and optionally and additionally, up to 15 million euros of capital investment through the EIC Fund to expand your innovative idea and take it to the international market.

2. NCP Wallonie – The Horizon Europe subsidy

NCP Wallonie is an incentive for SMEs, universities, colleges and approved research centres located in the Walloon Region to submit European projects. What does it do? It covers the costs linked to the preparation, presentation and negotiation of the project.

The amount changes depending on whether they are SMEs (€3,500) or universities, colleges and research centres (€1,750).

3. Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship helps, encourages and supports business innovation in Flanders in collaboration with other local actors and with the support of international commitments such as EUREKA, Entreprise European Network and Horizon Europe.

Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship supports companies through grants so they continue to grow, transform and innovate as well as to promote networking among SMEs. There are three types of grants: the growth grant, the innovation grant and the R&D projects grant, all of which addressed to SMEs.

4. InnovFin – EU Finance for innovators

InnovFin – EU Finance for innovators  is an international Belgium grant to all the member states of the European Union and associates countries to provide funding instruments of research and innovation projects in small and medium businesses.

It offers loans, guarantees and financing from a joint initiative launched by the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund in cooperation with the European Commission. Its main objectives? To facilitate and accelerate access to finance for innovative companies and organisations in the European Union.

5. Sowalfin

Sowalfin is a grant for entrepreneurs and small businesses in the Walloon Region from which you can access grants and guarantees to cover bank financing, playing a complementary role to the banks and in collaboration with various partners, such as Walloon Invests.

What are you waiting for to apply?

About Finnova Foundation

European Foundation for innovation funding. It is a European foundation based in Brussels whose objectives are to promote public-private cooperation through innovation to address social challenges such as employment, training, entrepreneurship, the United Nations SDGs, the circular economy, etc. Finnova organises the Startup Europe Awards, an initiative of the European Commission and the Finnova Foundation, to recognise the best European startups in the social field.

For more information: www.finnova.eu

About Startup Europe Awards

It is a methodology of the European Commission’s DG CONNECT, implemented by the Finnova Foundation since 2016. The SEUAs are an open innovation tool for identifying disruptive startups that promotes public-private collaboration and raises awareness of the importance of self-entrepreneurship as a driver of employment. In addition to generating alliances that help to meet the SDGs of the United Nations and the actions of the European Green Deal, thus contributing to the circular economy, the fight against climate change and sustainable tourism.

For more information: www.startupeuropeawards.eu/seua/

It is a pleasure to invite you to the webinar launching of the ACCELERATHON program promoted by the IVACE. You can reserve your place at the following LINK

The Valencian Institute of Business Competitiveness (IVACE) invites civil society, entrepreneurs, technology institutes, companies and universities to participate in the webinar launching of the Aguas-IVACE Accelerathon, an open innovation programme organised by the Startup Europe Accelerator of the Finnova Foundation, in collaboration with SEIMED, Aidimme and Redit with the institutional support of the European Commission DG CONNECT in the framework of the WATER STARTUP EUROPE AWARDS.

In addition, the webinar will have the privilege of having the presentations of several experts from Finnova; Julia Company, general director of IVACE; Massimiliano Dragoni, Senior Officer DG Connect; José Luis Muñoz, general director of EIT Climate; Carolina Lechado, independent professional; Gonzálo Belenguer, general director of Redit; Mark Beker, CEO Wex Global; David Schoth VP Europe; Rafael Mezquita, Minister of the Ministry of Panama and Iris Barrios, head of Startup Europe Accelerator Panama.

OBJETIVE AND CHALLENGE
The objective is to address the challenge number 6 of the United Nations SDG to innovate in the treatment of wastewater from industrial processes to recover raw materials, reuse water and minimize environmental impact.

The challenge posed aims to identify innovative solutions by the one hand, and companies, town halls or entities that define their environmental challenges on water to create different multidisciplinary teams on wastewaters by giving solutions to the water Accelerathon challenge to design realistic projects on advanced treatment, water, energy and raw materials recovery.

                    Now you can register for the informative webinar.

WATER ACCELERATHON

Who?
This is an innovation competition in which entrepreneurs, universities, technological institutes, business associations, town halls, industrial parks, SMEs, and public and private entities from all over the world, committed to water challenges, can participate.

A team competition with training in the UE LIFE PROGRAMME
The competition of the different teams will be carried out with e-learning tools and with the LIFE methodology a joint work will be made to obtain optimal solutions that provide innovation in the Valencian Community.

Duration and Rewards
The Water Challenges Accelerathon IVACE programme will last two months and as reward you will be eligible for an European acceleration ticket to access EU funds, go international or access to funding of up to 2 million euros form the European LIFE Environment and Resources Programme with the presentation of the project to the call on July 14th.

Spain is a leader in the LIFE programme in which a total of 495 projects have been approved. This activity has meant a contribution of more than 550 million euros for our country. The Valencian Community has contributed with a total of 78 projects, which has meant 60 million euros in return.

More information
Those interested in knowing the project and how to participate in it can already register for the webinar on May 28th at 18:00 (CET). The deadline is open until the same day and registrations can be made through the following LINK

Accelerathon Registration
If you have it clear, and you want to compete in the Accelerathon by participating, training and contributing all your value in the process to get the reward, you can, from now on, register in the Accelerathon IVACE program in this LINK.

The Accelerathon will be presented in the Webinar next Thursday, May 28th

Winners will be eligible for a European acceleration ticket to access EU funds, go international or access investment of up to 2 million euros per project

05/25/2020 Brussels. The Valencian Institute of Business Competitiveness (IVACE), in collaboration with the Metalworking, Furniture, Wood, Packing and Similar Technologic Institute (AIDIMME) and the Network of Technologic Institutes of the Valencian Community (REDIT), has launched the “Accelerathon Water Challenges” initiative; an open innovation competition on wastewater challenges: treatments, water reuse, energy and war materials with the institutional support of the European Commission’s Startup Europe.

The competition is open to Start-ups, universities, technological institutes, business associations, town halls, industrial parks, SMEs and entrepreneurs. Among all the challenges and solutions presented, the best proposal will be selected and then accelerated for presentation to the next LIFE Programme call.

Minister of Sustainable Economy, Productive Sectors, Trade and Work, Rafa Climent has remarked “the acknowledged role Ivace has in Europe and its activity in line with the objectives of sustainable development of the UN”

The initiative, which is coordinated by IVACE at national level on water, also takes advantage of the wealth of resources and knowledge of the European Interreg Europe TRIS Project in which IVACE and AIDIMME are taking part. The aim of this project is to share best practices on industrial symbiosis between European regions and to support public authorities and organisms in the efficient use of resources and the competitiveness of their SMEs through the improvement of regional policies.

In this regard, Climent has shown that “Accelerathon Water Challenges” responds to the 6th United Nations Sustainable Development Goal which points to the need to have clean water, residue-free and that can reuse and recovered”.

On the other hand, Fernando Saludes, president of REDIT and AIDIMME has said that “these initiatives are really interesting as they allow us, on the basis of certain definedchallenges, to propose creative solutions and provide different approaches that will enable us to make progress in improving a process as important as water treatment”.

Webinar presentation on Thursday, May 28th

In order to explain all the details, IVACE has organized a Webinar presentation next Thursday, May 28th at 18:00 (CET).

Webinar registration: https://finnova.typeform.com/to/xvsJPI

The competition aims to identify innovative solutions and environmental sub-challenges on water defined by companies, town halls and entities.

From there, several multidisciplinary teams will be formed to design projects on advanced treatments, water, energy and raw materials recovery from wastewater, giving possible solutions to the global challenge launched at the Accelerathon.

Winners will be eligible for a “European Accelerathon ticket” that will allow then to access networking initiatives, reach international markets, contact potential investors or successfully apply for European Union grants for pilot demonstrations projects of up to 2 million euros in the Valencian Community.

It is organized by IVACE and Startup Europe Accelerator of the Finnova Foundation, in collaboration with SEIMED, REDIT and AIDIMME with the institutional support of the European Commission within the framework of the Water Startup Europe Awards.

– The virtual conference will take place next Tuesday May 30th, 2020 streaming

– The deadline for submissions is July 14th, 2020

– The budget for the work programme 2018-2020 amounts to 2,592 million euros

Brussels, April 29th ,2020. The European Commission organises the virtual conference “EU LIFE Information and Networking day, an informative meeting on the LIFE 2020 Call aimed at all those who wish to present projects related to environment and resource efficiency, nature conservation in the areas of biodiversity and habitats and climate change adaptation. The meeting will take place next Tuesday May 30th at 10 a.m. in streaming through the following link: http://eu-life-2020.b2match.io

Following the interventions of Angelo Salsi, Head of LIFE and Eco-Innovation Unit; Maja Mikosinska, Head of Sector “Nature and Biodiversity”; Fabio Leone, Head of Sector “Environment and Resource Efficiency” and Anne Vermaelen, Head of Sector Finance Unit, EASME, it will proceed to answers the questions of the participants regarding both LIFE 2020 Call and the implementation process. Participants can send their questions regarding both LIFE 2020 Call and the implementation process through the platform Sli.do using the #EULIFE2020 code. Following that conference will start the networking meetings. Participants can register on these meetings until next Friday, May 15th at 5:00 p.m. through the event website: http://eu-life-2020.b2match.io

The LIFE 2020 Environment Subprogramme is a European Union financial instrument exclusively dedicated to the environment. Its main objective for the period 2014-2020 is to contribute to sustainable development and to the achievement of the objectives and targets of the Europe 2020 strategy and the relevant EU environment and climate strategies and plans.

Priority Area of Environment and Resource Efficiency

This subprogramme focuses on projects specially related to sustainability, environmental care or environment recovery, without specifying a sector. The work programme 2018-2020 has a total funding of 2,592 million euros. Projects receive up to 55% non-refunding co-funding. The average duration of the projects is between 3-5 years.

“LIFE is the only specific EU financial instrument for projects related to environment, sustainability and the fight against climate change,” afirms Juan Manuel Revuelta, CEO at Finnova Foundation.

Beneficiaries

Consortium between public and provide bodies at local level: provincial councils, town halls, universities, public and private companies (including SMEs) and associations. Startups and entrepreneurs can also apply for this grant. MORE DETAILS: http://life.finnovaregio.org/

Finnova Foundation

Finnova’s staff has experience in more than 30 projects for 20 years, and an example of this is Ecobus, an initiative that collects and recycle cooking oil from restaurants to make into biofuel and subsequent use in diesel engines. This project took place the Valencian Community with a total budget of more than 1.675.000€.

Finnova Foundation is committed to environmental entrepreneurship and innovation as well as to finding solutions to the COVID-19 health crisis by helping researchers seek European funding for their projects, just as motivating and offering workspaces and networking where they can collaborate with a wide network of professionals. For this purpose, we have three projects linked to entrepreneurship such as Startup Europe Awards, Startup Europe Accelerator and Accelerathon. More details about the projects can be found on the Finnova website: web.finnovaregio.org

Contact in Brussels:

– Juan Manuel Revuelta, CEO of Finnova Foundation juanma@finnova.eu – (+32) 475 97 42 77

Contact in Spain:

– Lola Bordas, CMO of Finnova Foundation cmo@finnova.eu – (+34) 619 110 266