Startup companies in Europe need constant support. They are the backbone of the European economy, along with SMEs. However, a lot of startup owners see their idea fail before they even get the opportunity to bring them to life.
What is your budget?
And the main reason behind that is of course money. A lot of startuppers have great ideas but they do not have the funding needed to support those ideas. Often they are forced to abandon their ideas. This has a visible effect, seeing as the number of Startup companies closing every single year is still substantial.
There are of course solutions to the problem. One of them is funding. And in particular European funding. There is a great number of opportunities and European startups can find the ones they are the most eligible for.
Funding for your startup
One of the most common funding types for startup companies of course is EU funding. European calls have been allocating budget for years and they are responsible for the creation of some pretty amazing ideas.
As a startup owner with a great idea, you will want to dive into the world of European funding. There are many different options you can choose from. You can focus on the European programmes and calls that interest you the most and start working on a proposal that will get you the funding you need.
Choose a European Programme
Erasmus+ is certainly a great option for startup companies. The budget varies depending on the call and the proposal of course. Many startups will also aim for the Horizon calls. Horizon is Europe’s biggest financial framework. As a result, the budget is higher but so is the difficulty of entering a successful proposal.
If you have a startup that you can think can benefit from a European programme, or you have a great idea for funding that could be benefited by EU funding you need to start by identifying the European programmes that are closer to your needs and preferences.
Calls and partnerships
Then you will want to identify the potential calls that could support your idea or your startup. For example, you might not have an idea at the moment but there could be a call that would fit your startup and help it evolve. You will want to be a part of that call.
Networking will play an important role in this case. To form a consortium and submit a proposal for funding you will need to find the right partners. You will need to do some brainstorming, devote time on the idea and you will need to make sure that you meet the calls’ priorities and qualifications.
Here are some indicative European calls that could be a great opportunity for your startup:
Call: UNICEF Funding Opportunities for Blockchain Startups
Budget: 100.000 euros
Description: The UNICEF Innovation Fund is looking to make up to $100K equity-free investments (in USD and/ or cryptocurrency) to provide early-stage (seed) financing and mentoring to for-profit technology startups that have the potential to benefit humanity. Applicants have the opportunity to receive a portion of funding in cryptocurrency (bitcoin or ether) through our recently launched CryptoFund. Given the current global climate and a dramatic shift to a digital world as a result of COVID-19, open-source solutions that address critical needs for society are as important as ever.
Deadline: 26/07/2020
Call: Block.IS Cluster Missions Open Call
Budget: 90.000 euros
Description: Block.IS accelerator aims to support the innovative blockchain-based solutions that will benefit 3 important European sectors: agri-food, logistics and finance. SMEs and startups can join the equity-free funding program (up to 60K Eur per startup/ SME), learn more about groundbreaking blockchain technology, explore possibilities our blockchain enablers offer and benefit from the comprehensive business support program.
Deadline: 22/10/2020
If you want access to more calls and the opportunity to build strong partnerships and enter fund-worthy proposals, sign up to EUcalls.net. You can find amazing options there. Funding your startup is now easier than ever!
