Mission accomplished: South3E wraps up having successfully contributed towards the Southern European deep tech ecosystem
The South3E project has now approached the end of its mission. It has dedicated the last two and a half years to helping forge a stronger deep tech innovation ecosystem in the South of Europe.
After launching in June 2022 and officially wrapping up in December 2024, the four partners of the South3E Consortium are now celebrating the successes achieved by the project and its three tracks, as reflected in its numbers.
https://youtu.be/b7Dn0VzmkSs
South3E in numbers
S3E START
The hands-on program for research teams to help them explore the commercial viability of their deep tech projects, led by HiSeedTech.
Results of this track:
- 2 Open Calls
- 60 Applications received from research teams
- 31 Applications received from TTOS
- 17 Evaluators
- 34 Selected research teams
- 23 Selected TTOs
- 46 mentors
- Training sessions delivered: 30 online tutorials, 14 webinars
- 2 Open Days with 481 registered participants
🌟 Highlighted achievement: S3E Start received a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 53, which reflects the high satisfaction among the participating teams.
S3E CHARGE
The acceleration program for growth startups to access funding opportunities and expand their business operations, led by Institute for Sustainable Development at EPLO.
Results of this track:
- 3 Open Calls
- 92 Applications received
- 16 Evaluators
- 50 Participating startups
- 39 Training Sessions delivered
- 37 mentors
- 2 Open Days with 240 registered participants
🌟 Highlighted achievement: Thanks to S3E Charge, the participating startups have been successfully connected to 50+ public and private funding opportunities.
S3E REVERSE
The business brokerage program connecting deep tech SMEs and startups with corporates to tackle industry challenges, led by International Development Ireland.
Results of this track:
- 2 Open Calls
- 29 Corporate challenges
- 98 Solvers applications
- 24 Solvers selected
- 25 deep tech Brokers
- 71 successful matches
🌟 Highlighted achievement: The outcomes of the Reverse Brokerage program will help to drive the growth of open innovation and corporate venturing in Southern Europe.
None of this would've been possible without the amazing S3E community we've built over the past 2 years!
We'd like to express our heartfelt thanks to all the S3E Experts that embarked with us on this journey, including mentors, evaluators, assessors and trainers. And, of course, to the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) for supporting our initiative.
Introducing the startups selected to join the S3E Charge Fast-Track Acceleration
After a short but extremely intense Open Call, and having reviewed the 40+ submissions we've received through the F6S Platform, we're very excited to announce the 22 startups that have been selected to participate in the S3E Charge Fast-Track Acceleration — an express 4-week version of S3E Charge, our European Funded acceleration program for growth deep tech startups from Southern Europe. Keep on reading to find out who made the cut for this final edition!
Meet the 22 startups selected for S3E Charge Fast-Track Acceleration
WASTECLOUD 🇬🇷
Digitising waste management, an asset and infrastructure intensive sector.
The solution: Wastecloud offers web & mobile apps for end-to-end waste traceability, boosting reporting, sustainability, efficiency, and reducing costs.
The team: Kyriakos Tsitouridis, CEO.
Website: wastecloud.co
TELENAVIS A.E. 🇬🇷
Geographic Information Systems, task management and fleet monitoring.
The solution: Quality services and products utilizing cutting-edge IC technologies such as AI, machine learning and blockchain.
The team: Konstantinos Haniotis, Founder and CEO; Panagiotis Evangelou, Project Manager.
Website: telenavis.com
ENISMARO 🇮🇹
Agrifood-tech company specialised in food & wine traceability.
The solution: An end-to-end platform for B2B customers that allows to create, update and consult all information relating to the production process. The platform is integrated by two frameworks: a structure for the management of IOT sensors and a layer developed in Blockchain.
The team: Isabella D'Addeo, CEO; Marco D'Addeo, CTO; Rossella D'Addeo, UI/UX Designer.
Website: enismaro.com
Explicit.ai 🇬🇷
Leveraging AI to optimize data processing and decision-making.
The solution: Tailored and scalable AI solutions for agriculture, logistics and ITS, focusing on practical, cost-effective, and data-driven innovation.
The team: Georgia Papadopoulou, CEO.
Website: explicit.ai
Conartia 🇬🇷
Consultancy and integration of digital solutions for the sports sector.
The solution: Digital solutions for enterprises and sports organizations, including ERP, CRM, collaboration tools, data analytics, and internal communication platforms.
The team: Efthimis Tzourdas, CEO and Co-Founder; Fokion Tzourdas, Business Development Manager; Dimitris Bampas, Co-Founder.
Website: conartia.com
Aquacloud 🇮🇹
AI-powered cloud systems for the blue economy
The solution: SMARTFISH, a platform as a service (PaaS) for aquaculture and precision farming, fostering sustainable fish farming off shore and inland for climate resilience.
The team: Luca Pozzato, CEO; Filippo Cozzini, CTO; Michela Cariglia, R&D Manager.
Website: aquacloud.it
EyeCheckup 🇹🇷
Non-invasive diagnosis of eye, heart, and kidney diseases using AI.
The solution: Multimodal AI-powered eye disease diagnostics, covering the complete scope of retina exams performed by an ophthalmologist.
The team: Rim Khazhin, CEO; Burak Bilgin, Product Manager.
Website: eye-checkup.com
Carbon Gate 🇹🇷
AI-driven all in one platform customizing your carbon management
The solution: A comprehensive platform that allows businesses to automatize their carbon emissions reporting, including indirect emissions throughout a company’s value chain.
The team: Okan Dursun, Co-Founder and CEO.
Website: carbongate.io
Envagro 🇹🇷
Combining agriculture and chemistry to innovate.
The solution: Smart fertilizers that provide controlled nutrient release from biodegradable wastes, a sustainable and advanced solution aiming to revolutionize the agricultural sector.
The team: Fatih Özönder, CEO.
Website: envagro.com
Shemha Health 🇧🇬
Transforming cancer care with AI-driven personalized solutions.
The solution: PrOPA 360° AI, а virtual environment for guiding and advise patients and physicians at every step of their oncological disease.
The team: Violeta Naydenova, Co-Founder.
Website: propa.health
LynxCraft 🇸🇮
Homebuilding simplified.
The solution: End-to-end cloud-based platform designed for homebuilders, powered by patented construction technology, serving as an all-in-one ecosystem for homebuilding, simplifying the design, sales, and construction processes.
The team: Marko Hozjan, Co-Founder and CEO; Iztok Šušteršič, Co-Founder and CTO.
Website: lynx-craft.com
Bio Innovative Green Growth (BiGG) 🇹🇷
30-day home compostable disposable food packaging paper material.
The solution: Environmentally friendly and cost-competitive food packaging products made of 100% natural, deforestation-free, unbleached, home compostable paper.
The team: Mustafa Can, CEO; Ayberk Avci, CTO; Tuncay Avci, CSO; Irmak Çağlayanel, COO; Selen Atar, CCO; Alper Hidayet Parlak, Community Relations Manager.
Website: biggbiodesign.com
NodeCosmos 🇲🇪
Collaborative Space for Innovation Development and Research Projects.
The solution: A Single Source of Truth (SSOT) web-based platform that empowers organizations to manage the structure, workings, and evolution of their innovation ecosystems.
The team: Goran Brkuljian, Founder and CEO.
Website: nodecosmos.com
Triple Idea 🇵🇹
Design life without limits.
The solution: Health-tech devices to improve patients' quality of life and their diagnostics while contributing towards more effective clinical procedures and the overall progress of the medical industry.
The team: Daniela Cardoso, Co-Founder and CEO; André Santos, Co-Founder and CTO.
Website: tripleidea.pt
Biolibrary 🇮🇹
Delivering orthopedics tech solutions based on 3D modeling & printing.
The solution: An online platform that allows orthopaedists and doctors to create custom ready-to-print 3D models of prostheses and muscle-skeletal devices thanks to a patented algorithm.
The team: Antonio Puce, CEO; Davide Maria Donati, Engineer.
Website: biolibrary.it
Salnus 🇹🇷
Empowering orthopedic surgery through AI-enhanced medical imaging solutions.
The solution: An AI-assisted surgical planning software that analyzes medical imaging data, like MRI and CT scans, to create precise and patient-specific preoperative plans.
The team: Burak Serteser, CEO.
LinkedIn: /salnus
RED CORAL 🇮🇹
Accelerating precious coral growth for sustainability and industry.
The solution: A patented method that accelerates coral growth by leveraging fusion isogenic and allogeneic, enabling sustainable aquaculture while enhancing efforts for reef restoration.
The team: Giandomenico Lucchini, CEO.
I4byDesign 🇬🇷
The Competence Center for Industry 4.0
The solution: A holistic plan to accelerate the process of digital and technological transformation in Greece, providing training, education and learning programs in Industry 4.0.
The team: Fokion Tzourdas, CEO. Grigorios Matenoglou
Website: i4bydesign.gr
Cherry Mic. Biyoteknoloji 🇹🇷
The initiative for sustainable agriculture using biological fertilizers.
The solution: An innovative piece of technology converting agricultural waste into microbial fertilizer using fertile bacteria.
The team: Iraz Aktay, CEO and Founder.
Website: cherrymicbiyoteknoloji.com.tr
Volvero 🇮🇹
Drive the power of sharing.
The solution: An innovative drive sharing app powered by AI and blockchain to ensure security, transparency and efficiency.
The team: Marco Filippi, Founder and CEO; Olukayode Alao, Co-Founder; Emre Yigit Alparslan, Head of Product.
Website: volvero.com
ATENXIA 🇪🇸
Technology-driven solutions to help children with ADHD and dyslexia.
The solution: An AI-driven platform that focuses on improving attentional parameters in school-age children facing challenges related to ADHD and dyslexia.
The team: Emilio Jiménez, CEO; Manuel Hernandez, COO.
Website: atenxia.com
ExSeed 🇧🇬
Novel technologies for sunflower protein isolate.
The solution: Technology to extract optimal quantities of sunflower protein isolate from the by-products of sunflower oil production, with the objective of manufacturing the best value-for-money plant-based protein.
The team: Boyan Zahariev, CEO.
Website: ex-seed.eu
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 4 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 22 startups into the S3E Charge program!
S3E Start 2024 | Meet the research team: NemAway
At this year's S3E Start Open Day, celebrated at the Tivoli BBVA Theatre in Lisbon, we interviewed the participating research teams to find out more about their projects and how they’re planning to implement the knowledge they’ve gained through our program to take their innovation from the lab to the the market.
NemAway is one of the 14 teams that was selected to join the 2024 edition of S3E Start, our program of support for deep tech research and entrepreneurship in Southern Europe, coordinated by our South3E partner HiSeedTech. Watch below the full interview to hear all about their work and their experience on Start!
https://youtu.be/KN6NdopD7KM?feature=shared
“We decided to join S3E Start because we needed a push in our transfer of knowledge from academia to industry. It's been a very important experience for us and we've learned a lot from this program — from how to communicate to investors to how to build a business project from scratch." — Cláudia Vicente
This project is pioneered by researchers from University of Évora, including: Cláudia Vicente, Margarida Espada, Pedro Barbosa and Madalena Mendonça. With the aim of developing bio-based and sustainable solutions to combat plant-parasitic nematodes, they've created NemAway, a fast and efficient action bionematicide that helps to protect crops and foster environmentally-friendly practices in agriculture.
Want to meet the rest of the teams? Access the full playlist featuring interviews with other participating teams.
If you missed the S3E Start Open Day, you can watch the full livestream recording with all the teams' pitches or our event recap for the top highlights.
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South3E launches the S3E Charge Fast-Track Acceleration for Deep Tech startups in Southern Europe
Following the success of its previous editions, South3E is bringing back the S3E Charge accelerator program for its third and final open call! Apply here.
In this new edition, the S3E Charge Fast-Track Acceleration has been crafted to offer expert support for deep tech startups in growth stage, focused on providing mentoring and training to science-based entrepreneurs in Southern Europe. The ultimate goal of this program is to assist the selected startups in developing an investment-ready business plan and help them access dilutive and non-dilutive funding.
“The S3E Charge program was crucial for our development and current success. It helped us refine our business plan and strategy, and we learned to become more business-oriented and less technical when pitching or talking to investors.” Michalis Kyriacou, Founder of Intellectra (S3E Charge 2024 Cohort)
Read the official press release
The S3E Charge Fast-Track Acceleration at a glance
Who can apply? This program is for growth startups with deep tech products or services already in the market, and with business operations based in a Southern European country. For this edition, we will admit up to 30 startups into the program.
What disciplines or industries can participate? We're looking for startups operating within these scientific fields: agricultural sciences, engineering and technology, medical and health sciences, and natural sciences. The startup's product or service must also have an economic or social impact element at heart, and target at least one of the Sustainable Goals set by the UN.
What does the program offer? Training and mentoring to develop an investment-ready business plan, as well as dedicated support to access public and private funding opportunities.
Key dates to keep in mind:
- 23 September 2024 → the open call to apply for S3E Charge is officially launched
- 11 October 2024 → applications for S3E Charge will close at 17:00 CET
- 15 October 2024 → the startups selected to participate in S3E Charge will be announced and the program will officially begin
The S3E Charge Fast-Track Acceleration will run for 4 weeks, starting on 15 October and finishing on 8 November. The selected startups will need to ensure they can commit to the full length of the program.
How to apply:
- Download the Application Guidelines to check all the details about the program and the full eligibility criteria, including the list of countries that can apply.
- Complete the application form on F6S and hit submit — don't leave it until last minute!
- The South3E consortium will review all applications between 11-14 October and will notify you via email if you've been selected.
Got any questions? Join our Info Webinar to hear more about this exciting opportunity and get answers to all your pressing questions about the program. The next session will be held online on 7 October at 13:00 CET, hosted by Christina Deligianni from Institute for Sustainable Development at EPLO, the coordinating team for S3E Charge. Register here.
Apply before 11 October!
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S3E Start 2024 | Meet the research team: Blood2Power
At this year's S3E Start Open Day, celebrated at the Tivoli BBVA Theatre in Lisbon, we interviewed the participating research teams to find out more about their projects and how they’re planning to implement the knowledge they’ve gained through our program to take their innovation from the lab to the the market.
Blood2Power is one of the 14 teams that was selected to join the 2024 edition of S3E Start, our program of support for deep tech research and entrepreneurship in Southern Europe, coordinated by our South3E partner HiSeedTech. Watch below the full interview to hear all about their work and their experience on Start!
https://youtu.be/SEaZOKtOs44?feature=shared
“This kind of program is very important for researchers because we get to learn a lot of new things beyond our scientific knowledge; our technology will only be fruitful if it goes to the patient, and thanks to S3E Start we are now closer to achieving that” — Andreia Pereira.
This project is pioneered by researchers from i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, and it revolves around the development of a system that harnesses electrical energy from the movement of blood and other body fluids to power medical devices. The full Blood2Power team includes: Inês Gonçalves, Andreia Trindade Pereira, Daniela Sousa, Herbert Middleton and Salomé Luís.
Want to meet the rest of the teams? Access the full playlist featuring interviews with other participating teams.
If you missed the S3E Start Open Day, you can watch the full livestream recording with all the teams' pitches or our event recap for the top highlights.
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S3E Start showcases the innovative deep tech projects from Southern Europe in a magnificent Open Day in Lisbon
On June 18th, the S3E team celebrated a hybrid Open Day in Lisbon to showcase the , the program that provides expert support to research teams and technology transfer officers in Southern Europe.
Watch the summary video!
https://youtu.be/AvonR5QPkxA
The S3E Start Open Day took place at the iconic BBVA Tivoli Theatre with approximately 60 people attending in person. The full 3-hour event was also livestreamed, reaching over 230 participants from across the European deep tech ecosystem who registered to join remotely. The audience included member companies from HiSeedTech (the S3E team who facilitated the event), international investors, business angels, innovation hubs, higher education representatives, corporates, researchers and deep tech enthusiasts.
The event kicked-off with a warm welcome from Mario Freire, President of the Board of HiSeedTech, which is the coordinator of the S3E – Southern European Entrepreneurship Engine project. Freire's introduction was followed by Daniel Gassman, Head of Sector Ecosystems and Prizes at the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA), who joined online to introduce the context where S3E stands, highlighting the main objectives of the New European Agenda and how the S3E project is working towards creating long-lasting impact by supporting deep tech research, innovation and entrepreneurship in Southern Europe.
Pedro Vilarinho, technical coordinator of the S3E initiative, took the stage to provide an overview of the S3E Start program, reflecting on its goals, milestones, and the remarkable progress made during the second cohort of research teams who joined the program in January. In the 2024 edition, S3E Start has supported 14 research teams in total, involving more than 60 researchers and 10 technology transfer officers from 12 different countries. The program also counted on the support of 30 mentors pooled from our community of S3E Experts.
The whole session, hosted by Roger Debo, consisted on 14 pitches from the finalist research teams, alternating onsite and online presentations, where the researchers explained the purpose and progress of their inspiring and significant work. Debo also delivered an inspirational talk on deep tech entrepreneurship.
The S3E Start Open Day showcased the remarkable potential of innovation in deep tech in Southern Europe, marking the culmination of 20 weeks of diligent effort by the 14 research teams participating in the S3E Start program. A huge congratulations to everyone involved for making this such a successful event!
The full recording of the S3E Start Open Day is now available to watch here.
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S3E Charge showcases the most innovative deep tech startups from Southern Europe in celebratory open day
On 24 April, the South3E consortium celebrated the end of this year's edition of the S3E Charge program, in a virtual open day that gathered the startups of the 2024 cohort to pitch in front of venture capitalists, business angels and other key stakeholders from across the European innovation ecosystem.
The event, which attracted 80+ people to register, marked the completion of the 18-week acceleration program that started earlier in January, coordinated and led by Christina Deligianni and Spyros Kouvelis from the Institute of Sustainable Development at EPLO.
Throughout their time with S3E Charge, the 17 selected startups and their teams received dedicated mentoring and support, as well as training through a series of webinars delivered by experts in innovation and entrepreneurship — a fully packed program centred around a key mission: to gear them up with all the necessary tools to successfully grow their businesses by expanding their reach and tapping into new markets and opportunities.
After 3 intense months, their journey culminated with the celebration of the S3E Charge Open Day, where they put all the skills and knowledge gained during the program to pitch their deep tech products and services, with the goal of introducing their solutions to European audiences and accessing funding opportunities.
"I'm very proud of all the participating teams. We've had the honour of working with very mature startups in this edition of S3E Charge, and I'm looking forward to seeing how they all progress and go from strength to strength now that they've officially graduated from the program. A big congratulations to all of them!" — Christina Deligianni
Besides the pitches delivered by 14 of the Charge startups (3 of them unfortunately couldn't attend due to unforeseen circumstances), the open day also counted with the support of Gerald Cultot from the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA), and two of the top leading voices in the European innovation ecosystem: Sonia Marzo Arnaez from Microsoft, and international Venture Capitalist & Entrepreneur Dimitris Kalavros-Gousiou.
The South3E team would like to express their gratitude to everyone involved in this year's edition of S3E Charge, including our community of mentors for the invaluable support and, of course, the participating startups for their commitment to the program and their drive to make a positive change in the world through their innovations.
"For the second year in a row, it's been a privilege to host an open day to celebrate a group of startups that are doing impressive work on promoting sustainability through their solutions. The goal of EPLO is to support the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals around the world in every way, and that's also our mission when working with the startups in this program, to empower them to 'do well by doing good'; to help them champion economic, environmental and societal growth." — Spyros Kouvelis
Full list of startups of S3E Charge 2024: Baukunst, Arquitectura y Patrimonio Virtual, BEDEV, Bomensoft, CRIAM, Archimed IoT, Ecobubble, ELNAV.AI, EntoProtein, eXRciser, Innervoices, Intellectra Technologies, ivoluntry, MOVEN, Nanomik Biotechnology, Orbiba Robotics, QX and Rosey's Mark.
Did you miss the open day? You can now recap on the full event via our YouTube channel! If you don't fancy watching the whole recording in one go, make sure to check the time stamps to navigate directly to the startup pitches.
https://youtu.be/bjvjgJ4dX_g?feature=shared
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S3E celebrates the Charge Open Day 2024 to introduce Southern Europe's top deep tech startups
Want to find out more about the teams pitching on the Open Day? ➡️
The South3E consortium is thrilled to be hosting an online Open Day on 24th April to introduce the 17 startups participating in the 2024 edition of S3E Charge, the EU-funded Acceleration Program for deep tech growth startups.
After completing the 14-week program of training and mentoring focused on developing an investment-ready business plan, the 17 selected startups are now ready to start accessing dilutive and non-dilutive funding opportunities within Europe and beyond. Thanks to the upcoming Open Day, all the startups' teams will have the opportunity to pitch in front of international investors looking for innovative and disruptive deep tech solutions across diverse sectors — from agritech and healthcare, all the way to naval, tourism and cultural industries.
Read the official Press Release
When
The event will take place virtually on Wednesday 24th April 2024, 13:00 - 16:00 CET
How to participate?
Register to the Open Day following this link. We strongly encourage Investors, Business Angels, Business Support Organisations, Innovation Agencies, Accelerators and Innovation Hubs to attend!
Programme
- 13:00 Opening session by Stella Konakchieva, Project Officer at European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA)
- 13:10 Welcome to S3E Deep Tech Revolution: Introduction to Innovation and Sustainability by EPLO Institute for Sustainable Development
- 13:20 Startups presentation - Part I: Baukunst | BEDEV | Bomensoft | CRIAM knowledge | DataFruit IIoT | ELNAV.AI
- 14:05 Inspirational Speech by Sonia Marzo Arnaez, Customer Success Manager at Microsoft
- 14:15 Startups presentation - Part II: EntoProtein | eXRciser | Innervoices | Intellectra technologies | Ivoluntry | Moven
- 15:00 Inspirational Speech by Dimitrios Kalavros-Gousiou, Venture Character and Capital Investor
- 15:10 Startups presentation - Part III: Nanomik Biotechnology | Orbiba Robotics | Ecobubble | QX | Rosey's Mark
- 15:50 Closing session by Spyros Kouvelis, Director EPLO Institute for Sustainable Development
Register now!
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S3E at Web Summit 2023 in Lisbon
Considered the largest tech conference in Europe, Web Summit in Lisbon attracts over 70,000 tech professionals and enthusiasts from across the globe every year, bringing together the top companies shaping the future of technology — including brands like Microsoft, Wikipedia, Nokia, SoundCloud and many more. And this year, South3E was also present!
Cláudia Barbosa, S3E Project Coordinator, was cordially invited by the European Institute of Innovation & Technology to join them in Lisbon as a representative of HiSeedTech, which is one of the official pledgers for this year’s EIT Deep Tech Talent Initiative.
As well as networking and enjoying the inspiring sessions with world-renowned keynote speakers, Claudia took this fantastic opportunity to promote the S3E Program among the many entrepreneurs and innovators who attended the event. According to the official stats released by the organisers, a total of 2,608 startups were exhibiting at Web Summit 2023 — and we truly hope some of them will take the leap and join us on our second Open Call for the S3E Program!
