S3E Start: Meet the research teams selected to join the 2024 cohort
After a very competitive and thorough selection process, and thanks to the expert help of the S3E Evaluators, we are very excited to announce the research teams and technology transfer offices (TTOs) that have been selected to join the second edition of S3E Start!
During the second Open Call for S3E Start— which launched on 18 September 2023 and closed on 15 January 2024 — we received a total of 65 applications from research teams and TTOs from all across Southern Europe. From those, 14 research teams and 11 TTOs have been selected to conform the new cohort of S3E Start, welcoming a total of 80 researchers in this year's edition. Keep on reading to find out who they are!
Meet the 14 research teams selected for S3E Start 2024
BioScreen 🇷🇴
- Research team: Ioana Silvia Hosu and Luminita Dimitriu
- TTO: Mihaela Frincu
- Institution: National Institute for Research & Development in Chemistry and Petrochemistry - ICECHIM
- Technology: A portable device that uses electrochemical quantification for real-time monitoring of plant oxidative stress, providing cost-effective screening of agrochemicals.
Blood2Power 🇵🇹
- Research Team: Andreia Trindade Pereira, Daniela Sousa, Herbert Middleton, Inês Gonçalves and Salomé Luís
- Institution: i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde
- Technology: A pioneering power-generating system that harnesses electrical energy from the movement of body fluids, like blood, to power medical devices.
BreastScreening-AI 🇵🇹
- Research Team: André Fadiga, Carlos Santiago and Francisco Maria Calisto
- Institutions: Instituto Superior Técnico Lisboa, Universidade de Coimbra and Universidade da Maia
- Technology: An advanced AI-driven diagnostic tool that integrates mammography, ultrasound and MRI data to enhance breast cancer detection accuracy, reducing diagnostic times and minimizing false positives and negatives.
C-Anal View 🇮🇹
- Research Team: Ilaria Toniolo, Francesca Rizzi and Lino Polese
- TTO: Francesca Rizzi
- Institution: Università di Padova
- Technology: A fenestrated anoscope and colonoscopy-compatible tool that improves tissue sampling, detects anal neoplastic lesions, and minimizes procedural risks. Its primary function is to enable precise visualization of the anal canal and rectum.
Comprehensive Pathogen Surveillance Ecosystem (CPSE) 🇹🇷
- Research Team: Cihan İspanoğlu, Ege Dedeoğlu, Gültekin Ünal and Hamza Yusuf Altun
- Institution: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - Ankara University
- Technology: A comprehensive service suite for pathogen monitoring, delivering detailed reports via a customized database. It securely centralizes monitoring data, offers customizable diagnostics and optimizes action efficiency.
DOPANTS 🇬🇷
- Research Team: Anna Mastrogiorgi, Eleftheria Perivola, Marios Fragkioglou, Minas M. Stylianakis and Vasileios Tzatzadakis
- Institution: Hellenic Mediterranean University
- Technology: DOPANTS uses polymer nanocomposites to enhance safety and sustainability in medical consumables, offering infection resistance, customization via 3D printing, durability and reduction of environmental impact.
ECOPLAN 🇱🇹
- Research Team: Aurelijus Rinkevičius, Marius Kriukovas, Greta Čerškutė, Saulė Mačiukaitė-Žvienienė and Vytenis Mockus
- Institution: Vilnius University
- Technology: An AI-powered platform for construction material selection and recommendation. It analyzes projects from Building Information Models (BIM), suggests optimal materials, increasing selection accuracy by 60% and saving 20% project time.
GENESIS 🇵🇹
- Research Team: Alexandra Pinto, Diogo Silva, Helder Nunes and Lucas Marcon
- Institutions: Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto, Universal H2 and INEGI
- Technology: A plug-and-play off-grid production system providing clean fuel for boat owners and sodium borates for chemical industries. It offers hydrogen and power production, IP-protected borate, and promotes circular economy.
miRALS 129 🇮🇹
- Research Team: Linda Ottoboni, Mafalda Rizzuti and Stefania Corti
- TTO: Alessandro Cervi and Margherita Chierici
- Institutions: Fondazione IRCCS Ca'Granda Policlinico Maggiore Hospital and Università di Milano
- Technology: miRSEN is an active pharmaceutical ingredient that inhibits microRNA-129, an upregulated miRNA found in Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients, slowing down the progression of the disease.
NEMATEAM 🇵🇹
- Research Team: Cláudia Letras, Madalena Mendonça, Margarida Espada and Pedro Barbosa
- Institution: Universidade de Évora
- Technology: NemAway is a fast and efficient bionematicide, targeting a broad spectrum of plant-parasitic nematodes. It is environmentally friendly and can be easily applied to crops through contact or soil fumigation.
OncoMagnetoSweep 🇵🇹
- Research Team: Diana Fonseca, Luísa Fialho and Marta Laranjeira
- TTO: Natacha Rosa
- Institution: i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde
- Technology: A magnetic extracorporeal device removing cancer cells from blood, enhancing treatment by reducing side effects, treatment time, and sessions, with a global cost reduction.
OncoMets 🇵🇹
- Research Team: Ana Sofia Ribeiro, Bruno Freitas, Inês Conde, Joana Paredes and Rita Carvalho
- TTO: Bárbara Macedo
- Institutions: LEPABE-FEUP and i3S - Instituto de Investigação e inovação em Saúde
- Technology: A blood-based In vitro diagnostics (IVD) tool providing real-time monitoring for breast cancer. It offers accurate, non-invasive detection of recurrent cancer earlier than traditional methods, enabling timely interventions and improving patient outcomes while reducing healthcare costs.
THYMI 🇵🇹
- Research Team: Rute Pinto and Pedro Ferreirinha
- Institution: i3S - Instituto de Investigação e inovação em Saúde
- Technology: THYMI offers for the first time the possibility to produce in laboratory patient-specific T cells that can be ready use to supplement patient immunity with no risk of transplanted cell rejection or side-effects.
UPWIND 🇵🇹
- Research Team: Luís Tiago Paiva, Fernando Fontes, Gabriel Fernandes, Manuel Fernandes, Rui Costa and Sérgio Vinha
- Institutions: Universidade do Porto and Instituto de Sistemas e Robótica (Universidade de Coimbra)
- Technology: ZEPHYRUS is a transportable airborne device that converts wind energy into electricity, ensuring access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable power in remote locations lacking access to the electricity grid.
S3E START is a program designed to help research teams and tech transfer officers to explore the commercial viability of their deep tech projects. Through an 18-week online training & mentorship program, the selected research teams will learn first-hand about the processes required to develop a business case for science-based products or services.
The 18-week immersive experience involves weekly online tutorials to guide the research teams in the development of a strong business case for their technology, and a series of webinars on diverse topics to help them build up relevant skills in intellectual property, technology commercialisation, how to pitch for funding, etc. Each team will be paired with a dedicated mentor who will guide them through the market validation for their deep tech research project, thus receiving 1-1 support for the development of their business case.
The whole South3E consortium is very proud to welcome these 14 research teams into the S3E Start program. Stay tuned for more updates on their journey with S3E!
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S3E Charge: Meet the startups selected to join the 2024 cohort
After a very competitive and thorough selection process, and thanks to the expert help of the S3E Evaluators, we are very excited to announce the startups that have been selected to join the second edition of S3E Charge!
During the second Open Call for S3E Charge — which launched on 18 September 2023 and closed on 12 December 2023 — we received a total of 47 applications from growth startups from all across Southern Europe. From those, 17 have been selected to conform the new cohort of S3E Charge. Keep on reading to find out who they are!
Meet the 17 startups selected for S3E Charge 2024
Baukunst 🇪🇸
Based in Valencia, Baukunst is a heritage preservation specialist startup building 3D and Augmented Reality applications to build immersive experiences around monuments and cultural sites. They embrace tradition and modernity to provide solutions that transcend temporal boundaries, while fostering appreciation and understanding of historical heritage. The team is led by CEO Adolfo Bartolome Ibañez Vila, CTO David Cervera Vila and CDO Sebastians Jans.
BEDEV 🇵🇹
Founded by Gonçalo Pereira da Fonseca, BEDEV is a Portuguese medtech startup using 3D printing to develop early stage medical devices that are environmentally, socially and economically friendlier, while keeping patient safety at their core.
Bomensoft 🇹🇷
Turkish startup Bomensoft Computer Technologies is specialised in artificial intelligence technologies. It operates as an R&D company, conducting research and leading on designs around AI-related concepts such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and Machine Learning. Founded in 2020 in Konya, Türkiye, by Bora Ozdemir.
CRIAM 🇵🇹
Headquartered in Braga (Portugal), CRIAM follows a clear mission: to ensure every patient that needs help is adequately diagnosed and treated. With this aim in mind, this startup has developed a multi-purpose, electricity independent, easy-to-use and portable single-test Point of Care (PoC) diagnostics tool for rapid, highly accurate, automatized (no human error) and affordable blood testing. The team is led by CEO Victor Crespo and CSO Ljiljana Dukanovic.
DataFruit IIoT 🇧🇬
Bulgarian startup DataFruit IIoT is building an integrated platform which gathers, monitors, manages and analyses trends for sustainable manufacturing of goods and green energy. Their ambition is to help organisations become more effective and adopt planet-friendly practices.
Ecobubble 🇮🇹
Established in Rome in 2019, Ecobubble is an innovative green tech startup that promotes new ways to design and manage green areas by optimising water management, reducing local pollutants and improving the quality of agricultural products in urban environments - they're current developing their newest project, Plantiverse. The team is led by Co-Founders Nicola Nestacelli and Federico Di Vincenzo.
ELNAV.AI 🇭🇷
Croatian startup ELNAV.AI works with the latest technology in speech recognition to offer a competitive advantage in the maritime industry, enhancing communication and reducing navigational errors. The team includes CEO Hrvoje Mihovilović, Software Developer Ivan Biliškov, and Marketing Director Mislav Biondić.
EntoProtein 🇬🇷
Co-founded by Greek entrepreneurs George Rodopoulos and Alexandros Simalidis, EntoProtein are committed to providing innovative and sustainable insect-derived protein products to help solve global food challenges. Their mission is to create a healthier, more sustainable food system, having sustainability, innovation and compassion as their flagship values.
eXRciser 🇪🇸
Spanish health-tech startup eXRciser combines the power of wellness and extended reality (XR) to take the workout game to the next level, implementing elements of immersive technology, gamification and hyper-personalisation to enhance individuals' physical activity and overall wellbeing. The core team, located in Madrid, is led by Co-Founder Francisco Ros Peran and CTO Manuel Pasamontes.
Innervoices 🇪🇸
Innervoices is a revolutionary app designed to reconnect with inner selves. By providing personalised insights and guidance, it empowers individuals to navigate life's dilemmas thanks to cutting-edge technology and social science research. This Barcelona-based tech startup was co-founded by Maja Završnik and Mel Awasi.
Intellectra Technologies 🇨🇾
Headquartered in Nicosia, Intellectra's mission is to reshape the wireless cybersecurity landscape for safeguarding and supporting the digital infrastructures of the future. They focus on pushing boundaries in multiprotocol wireless systems and platforms, as well as developing intricate mechanical solutions like Rapid Prototyping & Manufacturing. The core team includes CEO Michalis Kyriacou, CTO Makis Christou and Projects Director Christos Mavrides.
ivoluntry 🇬🇷
Greek startup ivoluntry has built a digital platform focused on organising and improving the conditions of volunteering activities. It connects volunteers with actions, offers appropriate digital support to institutions, enhances scientific research through volunteer actions and contributes to the development of voluntourism. The team is led by CEO Andreas Kountouras, CMO Errika Zeler and CTO Antipas Azoidis.
MOVEN 🇪🇸
MOVEN is a Spanish innovation consultancy specialised in bringing new solutions into the urban mobility sector, with a key focus on helping Southern European cities and businesses transforming their approach to urban design, transportation, and more. The team is led by CEO Sergio Diez and Innovation Manager Inmaculada Caballero.
Nanomik Biotechnology 🇹🇷
Turkish startup Nanomik develops and produces microencapsulated biopesticides for food and agricultural products that protects them against food spoilage without affecting their quality. Their R&D team, led by Aslı Erdoğ, is specialised in formulation development, new bio-molecule discovery, bio-engineering of microorganisms and process development for bio-manufacturing. The rest of the core team includes Co-Founders Buse Berber Örçen and Arda Örçen.
Orbiba Robotics 🇹🇷
Agri-tech startup Orbiba Robotics operates under a well determined philosophy: “People become what they eat”. To support organic agriculture practitioners become highly efficient, they design and build small, affordable robots that have a minimal carbon footprint, operate on renewable energy and offer a high-return on investment. Funded by ilker Bektas.
QX 🇲🇰
An innovative tech startup from North Macedonia, QX is pioneering a decentralised consumer network that reshapes European B2C retail interactions, leveraging blockchain for enhanced consumer and retail experiences. The team is led by its Co-Founder and CEO, Zoran Nasteski.
Rosey's Mark 🇧🇬
With a combined knowledge in high-tech and cosmetic science, Rosey’s Mark uses the Bulgarian rose flower as a valuable multi-purpose ingredient to create high quality and clean label functional food products. Their goal is to support the wellbeing of the conscious consumers around the world in a sustainable and non-invasibe way. The team is led by Co-Founders Rositsa Paunova-Dlagnekova and Ina Abadjieva.
S3E CHARGE is a program that we have designed for growth start-ups with deep tech products, services, or process concepts, grounded in a scientific discovery or meaningful engineering innovation and at a growth development stage, that are already in the market. The program will facilitate selected growth startups to be better aligned with Horizon Europe’s goals, namely by better positioning them to apply for public or private funding and programs, assisting them in linking their business offerings to market needs and becoming market ready to pitch and attract investments whilst having validated and honed their business plan and value proposition.
During the following 14 weeks, the selected startups will participate in a tailor-made mentoring and networking program that aims to provide skills to growth startups to enable them to:
- link the product/service/process product with market needs,
- better communicate their offerings to potential clients and investors,
- become market ready to pitch, persuade and readapt the business offerings to different audiences, depending on market needs
- connect to ‘Innovation Leaders’ and ‘Strong Innovators’ Ecosystems
- better understand to protect IP
- prepare an investment ready business plan
- get access to funds and funding
The whole South3E consortium is very proud to welcome these 17 startups into the S3E Charge program. Stay tuned for more updates on their journey with S3E!
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S3E consortium impresses the Turkish innovation ecosystem during the Open Call #2 Roadshow
South3E colleagues from HiSeedTech, AUSTRALO and International Development Ireland (IDI) recently gathered in Turkey for what could potentially be the project's most successful roadshow to date. The consortium travelled to Ankara and Istanbul with one goal in mind: to make new connections while promoting our mission and the second Open Call for the S3E Program - which will be closing very soon!
The roadshow started off in Ankara on 20th November, where Pedro Vilarinho and Odysseas Spyroglou met with ODTÜ Teknoloji Transfer Ofisi and TOBB ETÜ Teknoloji Transfer Ofisi to introduce S3E's support for TTOs and promote the Open Call #2 opportunities. The rest of the South3E representatives arrived the following day, on the 21st, to attend the Consortium Meeting at the Limak Ambassadore Hotel; the EPLO team, led by Christina Deligianni, joined virtually.
The highlight of the trip was, undoubtedly, having the opportunity to formally introduce the S3E Program in Istanbul in front of a lively community of Turkish researchers, startups and TTOs, and promote the opportunities entailed by the Open Call #2. Elifnaz Unay, International Projects Specialist at YTÜ Yıldız Teknopark, played a pivotal role in helping the South3E consortium organising a successful event at Yildiz Technical University on 22nd November, with more than 60 in person participants.
"It was a privilege to facilitate an environment where ground-breaking initiatives like the S3E Program could be introduced to our vibrant Innovation Ecosystem. I'd like to express a heartfelt thank you to the S3E team for sharing your mission with us. Witnessing the dedication of everyone involved was truly inspiring," said Elifnaz.
Pedro Vilarinho opened the session with an inspiring speech, highlighting the key role that researchers and entrepreneurs play towards advancing Deep Tech innovation in Southern Europe and neighbour countries. Our Project Coordinator, Claudia Barbosa, took the stage to introduce South3E as the EU-funded initiative helping to reduce the market risk for Deep Tech in Southern European countries, while fostering sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship.
Cristina Simoes, from HiSeedTech, introduced the S3E Start Program, highlighting how it's been designed to help researchers and technology transfer offices explore the commercial viability of their deep tech projects. She was followed by Claudia, who presented the S3E Charge Accelerator, the mentoring and networking program for growth startups looking to access funding opportunities and to expand their business operations into new markets. Odysseas closed the session with S3E Reverse, our brokerage program for large corporations and scaleups to tackle Deep Tech challenges together through disruptive innovation.
The event concluded with a vivid Q&A and networking session where we met and connected with the participants and discussed about their potential involvement in the S3E Program opportunities. We received many interest and we look forward to welcoming many Turkish researchers, TTOs, and startups into the S3E Open Call #2!
The Roadshow continued the following day, 23rd November with a meeting with İTÜ ARI Teknokent. Our colleagues Pedro, Cristina, and Claudia found so many synergies with the role that İTÜ ARI is developing providing the proper environment and opportunities to enable technology companies and entrepreneurs to develop and commercialize technologies, contributing to technological development in Turkey and the success of generating entrepreneurial ideas, and using ITU’s academic power to accomplish innovations rather than follow.
Let's continue fostering a culture of collaboration and growth, and keep fuelling innovation together 🚀✨
Find out more about South3E and our mission!
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S3E Start recognised by the prestigious EIT Deep Tech Talent Initiative
The South3E consortium is thrilled to announce that S3E Start has been recognised by the prestigious EIT Deep Tech Talent Initiative as one of the top training programmes pushing the boundaries of deep tech in Europe. Thanks to this acknowledgement, S3E Start now features proudly on the Courses section of the EIT’s website, alongside other expert-led programs focused on cultivating innovation and economic growth across the EU.
“This recognition is a testament to the quality and value of our program, and it further underscores the value and impact of our S3E Project as a whole. To be chosen for inclusion S3E Start underwent a rigorous quality check and we are proud to have met the high standards set by the EIT Deep Tech Talent Initiative,” says Claudia Barbosa, Chief Operating Officer at HiSeedTech and Leader of S3E Start.
The Deep Tech Talent Initiative is a pioneering programme led by the European Institute of Technology and Innovation (EIT) whose mission is to upskill one million people within deep tech fields over the next three years. Shaped by the same ethos that drives South3E, the EIT also believes deep tech innovations are indispensable to address the most pressing global challenges.
Through the second Open Call for the S3E Program, South3E will continue supporting researchers and startups developing innovative deep tech solutions with social and sustainable impact at their core. Research teams and technology transfer offices interested in applying to the S3E Start Program can find all the information here. Applications close on 12 January 2024.
We look forward to creating long-lasting collaborations!
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S3E Open Call 2 for Experts: join our mission to boost deep tech innovation in Southern Europe
The South3E consortium is thrilled to launch the second Open Call for Experts who would like to join our mission — to build a robust deep tech innovation ecosystem in Southern Europe. This a unique opportunity to actively contribute towards the EU's ambition to foster entrepreneurship and innovation in these key regions, by sharing your valuable knowledge to support startups and researchers shaping a more sustainable and forward-thinking future for Southern Europe.
🚀 Apply now to join our community of S3E Experts!
How can you contribute towards the S3E mission?
You can be a part of our community of S3E Experts in different ways, depending on your professional experience and how you would like to contribute towards South3E's mission:
- Evaluators will be responsible for assessing proposals submitted by applicants for our S3E Open Call #2 - you will help to select the research teams and TTOs that get to join the S3E Start program and which startups will make into the S3E Charge accelerator program.
- Mentors for deep tech projects will guide research teams selected for the S3E Start program to develop a business case for a product, service or process grounded on a scientific discovery or a meaningful engineering technology.
- Mentors for deep tech growth startups will assist the selected participants in the S3E Charge program to develop an investment-ready business plan that will help access dilutive and non-dilutive funding opportunities.
* On 15 November we will also launch a separate call for Deep Tech Brokers for the S3E Reverse program, to help to match corporate challenges with the solutions offered by scaling startups. !
What type of profiles are we looking for?
To be eligible to apply, experts must meet the following criteria:
- You have a high-level of expertise in supporting technological innovation, preferably in deep tech projects developed by researchers and startups
- You have vast knowledge in the following scientific fields: agricultural sciences, engineering and technology, medical and health sciences and natural sciences
- You are able to efficiently communicate in English (the official language of the program), both speaking and writing
- You are familiar with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations
- You are passionate about providing innovation support, and are experienced in evaluating, mentoring and/or coaching
Note: The selected Experts will act as individuals and not as representatives of a specific organisation.
What do you get in return?
There are many personal and professional benefits to gain from helping others by sharing your own experience and knowledge. On top of the 'feel good factor', you will also get to take advantage of the following opportunities that come from joining the S3E community:
- Being publicly recognised for playing an active role in building the Southern European deep tech ecosystem
- Expand your professional network by connecting with other innovation leaders and relevant EU institutions and stakeholders
- Gain exclusive exposure to new ideas, approaches, and perspectives shaping the present and future of Europe
- Enhance your professional profile by gaining recognition for your skills, experience and contributions towards S3E
- Be at the forefront of the South European deep tech revolution!
How to apply and key dates to keep in mind
To apply to become an Expert for S3E, simply download the guiding materials we have prepared, where you will find all the key information you need to know, and then submit your online application form via the F6S platform.
The deadline closes on 30 November 2023 at 17:00 CET. Once our internal team evaluates all applications, we will announce the selected Experts on 11 December 2023. Depending on the role you have applied for, you will be expected to commit to the program for the following timeframes:
- If you are selected as Evaluator for S3E Open Call 2: You will be reviewing S3E Charge applications between 18 December 2023 – 8 January 2024, and S3E Start applications between 12 – 26 January 2024
- If you are selected as Mentor for S3E Start: You will be mentoring your designated research team between 6 February – 6 June 2024
- If you are selected as Mentor for S3E Charge: You will be mentoring your designated startup between 18 January – 26 April 2024
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch with us! You can email the S3E Team at info@south3e.eu
We look forward to welcoming you into our community of Experts!
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The S3E Open Call #2 has officially launched!
The wait is finally over! The S3E – Southern European Entrepreneurship Engine consortium is excited to announce the official launch of the second Open Call for the three tracks of the : Start, Charge & Reverse.
S3E is the ultimate program of support for entrepreneurs in Southern Europe developing Deep Tech solutions with social and sustainable impact at their core. Each track is dedicated to three main groups operating within the innovation ecosystem: researchers and TTOs working on a project as a team, startups at their growth stage, and corporates interested in joining forces with scaleups/SMEs.
The S3E Charge program has been an invaluable experience. The theoretical sessions and mentorship have greatly supported our growth and have improved the key strategies to effectively communicate our value proposition. We highly recommend this program to other entrepreneurs, as it provides the necessary tools and connections for success in the Deep Tech industry.
Naeria Navarro Navarro CTO, Fresh Water Nature SL - Charge Startup
What's the difference between the 3 tracks?
- S3E Start: helps research teams and tech transfer officers to explore the commercial viability of their deep tech projects. Through an 18-week online training & mentorship program, the selected research teams will learn first-hand about the processes required to develop a business case for science-based products or services.
- S3E Charge: supports deep tech startups in their growing phase that want to improve their business model and learn how to access dilutive and non-dilutive funding. Over 14 weeks, the selected startups will receive tailored mentorship to guide them through the validation process of their product or service, and the creation of an investment-ready business plan.
- S3E Reverse: connects corporate challenges with solutions developed by scaleups and SMEs thanks to our Brokerage Program, based on a successful open innovation methodology. To access the first phase of this track, large companies and public organisations have to submit a deep tech challenge.
You can find all the relevant information about each track on the section on our website.
How to apply
Those interested in joining the S3E Program need to follow these steps:
- Read all information about the S3E Program to decide which track best suits you
- Once you know which track you want to apply to, download the relevant track Guidelines for Applicants and the Open Call Text via Zenodo: +
- After carefully reading the mandatory documents, you can now complete your application via the F6S online platform: S3E Charge application for Startups + S3E Start application for Researchers + S3E Start application for Tech Transfer Offices
The S3E Open Call #2 welcomes applications from the following countries:
- South European countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia and Spain.
- Associated countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Kosovo and Turkey.
The S3E Start program has a comprehensive curriculum that provided us with the necessary information on deep-tech commercialization. With the TEC sessions, webinars and mentor meetings, we had the chance to learn from experts. The S3E team has been very supportive and answered all the questions we had. We strongly recommend this program.
Elif Begum Elcioglu NANO INK - Start Researcher
Key dates to keep in mind
- 18 September 2023 (12pm CET): The S3E Open call officially launches for the 3 tracks: S3E Start, S3E Charge and S3E Reverse
- 15 December 2023 (5pm CET): Deadline for applying to S3E Charge (startups) and S3E Reverse (large organisations acting as ‘Challengers’)
- 12 January 2024 (5pm CET): Deadline for applying to S3E Start (research teams & tech transfer officers)
Join our upcoming S3E Info Webinars!
To help this year's applicants prepare for their submissions, the teams behind S3E Start & S3E Charge will be hosting a series of Q&A Webinars. These sessions provide an open space to everyone interested in applying to ask any questions they may have about the S3E Program — we highly encourage future participants to come along!
Check the available dates for S3E Start and S3E Charge and book your preferred session via Eventbrite. The earlier you join one of our Info Webinars, the more time you and your team will have to prepare before submitting your application.
Got any questions?
Check the FAQs section on our website, where you fill find an extensive list of answers regarding the S3E Program. If you would like to speak directly to someone from the S3E team, you can email us at info@south3e.eu
We look forward to creating long-lasting collaborations!
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Press release: The Engine for South European Deep Tech launches the second Open Call for the S3E Program
The S3E – Southern European Entrepreneurship Engine consortium is excited to announce the launch of its second Open Call for the S3E program — the EU-funded initiative fostering Deep Tech entrepreneurship in South European countries.
After launching the first Open Call in 2022, the S3E Program is coming back this year to keep supporting startups, researchers, tech transfer offices, corporates and SMEs in Southern Europe developing innovative deep tech solutions with social and sustainable impact at their core.
📄
Who can join the S3E Program?
The S3E Accelerator Program is built around 3 tracks of bespoke services, tailored to the needs of different groups operating within the deep tech innovation ecosystem.
- S3E Start: helps research teams and tech transfer offices to explore the commercial viability of their deep tech projects.
- S3E Charge: supports deep tech startups in their growing phase that want to improve their business model and learn how to access dilutive and non-dilutive funding.
- S3E Reverse: connects corporate challenges with solutions developed by scaleups and SMEs thanks to our Brokerage Program, based on a successful open innovation methodology.
The S3E Program welcomes applications from the following countries:
- South European countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, and Spain.
- Associated countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Kosovo and Turkey.
Applications for the S3E Open Call #2 will officially open for the three tracks on 18 September 2023. We encourage those interested in applying to — you will receive a reminder on the day so you won’t miss out!
We look forward to creating long-lasting collaborations!
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S3E is proud to have supported its first cohort of South European deep tech innovations
In July 2023, the South3E consortium hosted the two most important events of the year — the Open Days for our S3E Charge and S3E Start programmes!
Two successful online events that brought together more than 200 attendees from all across the European innovation ecosystem — including international investors, business angels, innovation hubs, higher education representatives and the general public — to showcase the deep tech solutions and ideas developed by the startups, research teams and TTOs selected to participate in these EU-funded programmes co-developed and led by the S3E partners.
For those who couldn’t join us on the events of 6th and 20th July, we have prepared two booklets where you will find all the key information about the teams who pitched during the open days and their innovations. Follow the links below to grab your copy!
S3E Charge booklet
to download the S3E Charge booklet and meet the 12 startups who pitched their deep tech businesses during the open day on 6th July 2023.
S3E Start booklet
to download the S3E Start booklet and meet the 13 research teams who presented their deep tech projects during the open day on 20th July 2023.
During the following weeks, we will be sharing detailed articles to highlight the research projects and the startups who pitched during both open days, including the video recordings of their presentations. So stay tuned! Make sure you're following us on LinkedIn and Twitter, and sign up to receive our .
Press Release: S3E celebrates the Start Open Day to present the deep tech projects of the selected research teams
The EU-funded project S3E is hosting the Start Open Day on Thursday 20th July 2023, at 10.00 CET, where the participating South European research teams will pitch their deep tech projects.
The consortium of S3E–Southern European Entrepreneurship Engine is pleased to officially announce the celebration of the S3E Start Open Day. During the last months, the S3E project has deployed the S3E Start program: an 18-week hands-on training program on science-based entrepreneurship, designed for research teams that want to explore the path from the lab to the market. Paired with these teams were technology transfer offices (TTOs) that learned the methodology to foster science-based entrepreneurship and technology commercialisation within their organisations.
Read the official press release
On this virtual pitching day, the selected 18 research teams and 12 TTOs from all across Southern Europe (including Italy, Spain, Greece, Slovenia, Romania, Portugal and Turkey) will introduce their deep tech projects to the entire EU innovation ecosystem.
When and where
The event will take place virtually on Thursday 20th July 2023, at 10.00 CET
How to participate?
The S3E project kindly invites Investors, Business Angels, Business Support Organisations, Innovation Agencies, Accelerators and Innovation Hubs to register to the event via Eventbrite.
Programme
- 10:00 Opening session by Daniel Gassmann, Head of Sector Ecosystems and EIC Prizes at EISMEA - European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency
- 10:10 Welcome to S3E Deep Tech Revolution with Pedro Vilarinho, Managing Director at HiSeedTech
- 10:20 Deep tech projects presentation I
- 11:20 Industry talk: ‘Deep tech entrepreneurship’ by Roger Debo, former Director of the Collaborative for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization (CTEC) at Rutgers University
- 12:30 Lunch break
- 14:00 Welcome back
- 14:05 Deep tech projects presentation II
- 15:15 Closing remarks by Mário Freire, President Board of Directors at HiSeedTech
Register now!

Press Release: S3E celebrates the Charge Open Day to present the deep tech solutions of the selected growth startups
S3E celebrates the Charge Open Day to present the deep tech solutions of the selected growth startups
The EU-funded project South3E will celebrate the S3E Charge Open Day on Thursday, 6th July 2023, at 13.00 CET, giving the chance to the participating South European startups to pitch their business ideas.
The consortium of S3E – Southern European Entrepreneurship Engine is pleased to officially announce the celebration of the S3E Charge Open Day. During the last weeks, the S3E project has deployed the S3E Charge Acceleration Program: a 14-week tailor-made mentoring and networking program for the 12 selected startups to develop an investment-ready business plan and support them in their access to non-dilutable and dilutable funding.
Read the official Press Release
On this virtual pitching day, we will facilitate the networking with industry leaders and investors, we will have inspirational speeches and the startups will have the chance to pitch and scale their business opportunities.
When
The event will take place virtually on Thursday, 6th July 2023, at 13.00 CET
How to participate?
The S3E project kindly invites Investors, Business Angels, Business Support Organisations, Innovation Agencies, Accelerators and Innovation Hubs to register to the event following this link.
Programme
- 13:00 Opening session by Daniel Gassman, Head of sector at the European Commission
- 13:10 Welcome to S3E Deep Tech Revolution: Introduction to Innovation and Sustainability by EPLO Institute for Sustainable Development
- 13:20 Projects presentation I: 7 minutes pitch + 3 minutes of Q&A
- 14:00 Inspirational Speech by Ms. Milena Stoycheva, CEO JA Bulgaria, Interim Action Programme Director INNOVATION, EIT Culture and Creativity*
- 14:10 Projects presentation II : 7 minutes pitch + 3 minutes of Q&A
- 14:50 Building a Team Culture in Deeptech Companies by Ms.Aga Bajer, Founder & CEO at CultureBrained®*
- 15:00 Projects presentation III: 7 minutes pitch + 3 minutes of Q&A
- 15:40 Closing Session by Mr. Spyros Kouvelis, Director EPLO Institute for Sustainable Development
*Speakers pending confirmation.