/Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship

Transforming ideas into business

The transition to net-carbon-neutrality and technology-driven innovation, in the context of the EU Green Deal, means an unprecedented increase in demand for critical and strategic raw materials. Innovations such as electric vehicles, solar panels, and wind turbines rely on a sustainable supply of critical raw materials. These can include lithium, cobalt, magnesium, copper, and rare earth elements.

This is why EIT RawMaterials is constantly working to discover start-ups with most disruptive and groundbreaking products and services addressing challenges across the raw materials value chain, from deep tech solutions for mineral exploration, mining and processing to substitution and recycling of battery materials and novel approaches to offset carbon footprint.

EIT RawMaterials provides funding and entrepreneurship coaching to early-stage as well as later-stage start-ups and SMEs, with a focus on idea-to-market and relevance for our partners. With our entrepreneurship activities, we aim to cover the whole spectrum of entrepreneurship – from idea creation to launching products into the market. We further support consortia of corporate organisations to bring state-of-the-art innovations to market. Business Creation and Acceleration activities are aimed at transforming innovative ideas and projects into new business opportunities for existing companies and support the creation of start-ups and spin-offs. Our activities include several different calls and programmes that each provide unique opportunities for funding and support.

EIT RawMaterials has supported more than 300 start-ups to bring their innovative solutions to the market. Our programmes have helped them scale up and secure €270 million in investment.

Why we are unique

The power of network

EIT RawMaterials is the largest pan-European network across the raw materials value chain with over 300 partners. Six innovation hubs across Europe provide access to the local market and partner ecosystems.

Access to private and public funding

We support you in accessing private equity and venture capital through our network and specific events, like the venture forum. In addition, we collaborate with several institutions such as the EIB, EIF and EIC.

Deep sector knowledge

Our deep expertise in the raw materials sector and the creation of a collaborative environment support bringing ideas to market. Initiatives such as the European Raw Materials Alliance (ERMA), upscaling projects and education projects complement business creation activities.

Our programmes

EIT RawMaterials programmes provide different amounts of funding as well as tailored mentorship. All participating entities are also eligible to become partners of EIT RawMaterials and will be introduced to our ecosystem. We further aim to connect start-ups and SMEs to potential customers and partners as well as investors. Our open innovation concepts and matchmaking events, such as the Venture Forum, facilitate introductions. Below you can find more information on our programmes.

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Lab2Market

The EIT RawMaterials Lab2Market programme aims to coach and mentor Master’s and PhD students to develop innovative solutions ready for market.

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EIT Jumpstarter

The EIT Jumpstarter supports student innovators and researchers to test the potential of their ideas guided by trainers and business coaches. This is an 8-month bootcamp and mentoring programme with prize money of up to €10 000.

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Regional Innovation Competition

The Regional Innovation Competition is an innovation programme with exciting, customised workshops, coaching vouchers, and local support via RIS (Regional Innovation Scheme) incubators. The competition closes with a final pitching competition and prize awards of up to €6 000. The programme is tailored to help regional innovators to reach new markets and connect with a pan-European ecosystem.

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RawMaterials Accelerator

The Accelerator works with scientists, researchers and entrepreneurs to turn their innovations into market-ready products and services. The programme has 3 phases and grant amounts increase throughout, totalling €90 000.

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Booster Call

Mentorship, funding and access to the EIT RawMaterials partner network help more mature start-ups and young SMEs to reach pivotal milestones in their development. The programme runs for a period of 12 months with a grant of up to €200 000.

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Open Innovation Challenge

EIT RawMaterials connects global leaders in the raw materials industry with start-ups developing disruptive solutions for the market. Winners of the Open Innovation Challenges successfully validated their solutions and secured collaboration contracts with Veolia, Eramet and Baker Hughes.

For more information about the programmes, please contact Business Development Managers in your country.

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