Events to look out for
Environment and water technologies business mission to Korea – 23-29 September 2019, South Korea. The five-day mission week gives the opportunity to participants to showcase their products and technologies to a targeted audience of potential business partners. Up to 50 European companies will be chosen for this mission. Apply by 10 May.
Funds available
European Defence Fund: EUR 525 million for Eurodrone and other joint research and industrial projects. The European Commission adopted new work programmes to co-finance joint defence industrial projects in 2019-2020 worth up to EUR 500 million. A further EUR 25 million is available to support collaborative defence research projects in 2019, with calls for proposals launched on 19 March.
The Ministry of Economy of Bulgaria and the European Investment Fund (EIF) together launch a new generation equity investment programme in Bulgaria. The new investment programme, called InvestBG Equity, aims to attract significant private and institutional capital to invest in the expansion and internationalisation of Bulgarian-based companies. The programme will support the development of high-growth and innovative small businesses by facilitating access to equity financing.
EUR 40 million fund for co-investment with business angels in Spain. The European Investment Fund (EIF) and Axis launched a new EUR 40 million business angels fund for financing innovative start-ups. This new fund will target business angels that invest in early-stage Spanish tech companies with a strong innovative component.
EU policies for better business
EUR 2 billion to fast forward the creation of the European Innovation Council. Last week, the European Commission took decisive steps to set up a European Innovation Council (EIC). With the European Innovation Council, the Commission is responding to the need to close the innovation gap in Europe by identifying and funding Europe's most promising start-ups and SMEs. Currently in its pilot phase, the EIC will become a full-fledged reality from 2021 under the next EU research and innovation programme, the Horizon Europe.
Get involved
Consultation: proposal for micro plastics restriction. Have your say on a proposal to ban intentionally added micro plastics in consumer and professional products. The consultation is open until 20 September 2019.