We are looking for deep tech startups and SMEs to respond to the 15 identified challenges

The EU-funded project South3E launches a new Open Call to identify deep tech based solutions to 15 selected market challenges, in the frame of the S3E REVERSE Program.

📃 Press Release S3E Open Call #1 Reverse for solvers  📃

The consortium of S3E – Southern European Entrepreneurship Engine has officially launched the S3E Reverse for Solvers Open Call #1 targeting scaling start-ups and SMEs with deep tech solutions. Through S3E REVERSE, the project creates an Innovation and Technology Brokerage Program aiming at connecting corporates and public organisations (Challenge Organisations) with scale-ups, start-ups and SMEs (Solvers) that can address the identified challenges through their products, services, and solutions, based on deep tech and aligned to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Open Call for Solvers will be available from 14 March (12.00 pm CET) until 15 May (17.00 pm CET).

The Solvers – SMEs and more mature start-ups – are invited to join the program, submitting their solutions, ideas and products that solve one or more of the 15 identified challenges. These challenges were unveiled by 19 Challenge Organisations since last November 2022 at the first stage of the S3E REVERSE program and reviewed by S3E partners in collaboration with external experts. All of them have the highest degree of potential, impact, innovation, and feasibility and should be addressed through deep tech solutions. Check the selected challenges here. 

Who can apply?

Scaling Start-ups and SMEs with deep tech projects and solutions from all Southern Europe, meeting the following criteria:

  • Is established in any country of the Southern European science-based innovation ecosystem is eligible for the Horizon Europe program including associated countries.
  • Is capable of addressing a challenge that has been submitted as part of the conducted open call for Challenges and which is related to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
  • Can justify the development and / or deployment of a Deep Tech solution.

How to apply?
Interested start-ups and SMEs tackling the challenges can apply before 15 May 2023 via F6S and find further information about the application guidelines here. The S3E REVERSE Open Call for Solvers will operate on a ‘first come – first Served’ for the solvers: when a match is identified, the challenge provider organisation and the solver can start working together immediately.

What are the benefits?

  • Innovation Readiness Assessment: a Self-assessment of the solver that will help thecompany identify weak points or problems in their growth. Our Technology brokers can then suggest specific actions that can help the solver improve their operations.
  • Mentoring (from selected business & innovation experts) based on an assessment of the company that will help the scale-up identify any weak points of problems in their growth scale.
  • Coaching (from sustainability experts) will support the company in identifying business cases and potential applications based on their portfolio that could provide solutions to
    address sustainability challenges related to the UN SDG of the call.
  • Training in public procurement, including Pre-Commercial Procurement and Public Procurement for Innovative solutions (PPIs) that will help scale-ups access bigger projects and clients.
  • Masterclasses with established experts in their field in topics such as ESG compliance, leadership, onboarding new personnel, customer acquisition, company culture).
  • Networking with industry leaders and showcase opportunities at the S3E Open day.
  • Technology Brokerage: our technology brokers will help the SMEs and startups prepare their technical offer and match them with the challenge organisations in need.

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