Our Mission
ACCEND is building a Europe-wide network to supercharge the next generation of deep tech scaleups. Our mission is to create a sustainable ecosystem that supports ambitious founders to grow — locally and internationally — by connecting them to the people, tools, and opportunities they need to succeed.
We bring together a diverse group of scaleup accelerators, innovation hubs, and public partners to offer high-impact support, including:
Access to funding and investors
Help testing and refining technologies in real-world environments
Connections to major industry players and public sector buyers
Expert coaching to support international growth
ACCEND focuses on scaleups tackling big global challenges — from climate change to health innovation — helping them break into markets faster and turn cutting-edge research into real-world solutions.
At the heart of our approach is collaboration: we’re co-creating a cross-border acceleration platform that makes the most of each partner’s regional strengths while working together to build a stronger, more joined-up European deep tech ecosystem.
Through our pilot accelerator programme, we’ll support scaleups by giving them tailored services, cross-border connections, and a pathway to global markets. Our goal is to test and prove a new, long-term model for delivering deep tech acceleration across Europe.
ACCEND is on a mission to break down silos and build stronger connections between Europe’s leading Deep Tech regions. Our first objective focuses on creating a shared foundation for long-term collaboration by co-designing a Joint, Cross-Border Scaleup Service Catalogue — a new kind of European playbook for scaleup support.
Instead of competing in isolation, ACCEND partners are coming together to align services, share expertise, and offer startups a clearer path to grow beyond their home region — and beyond Europe. This collaborative approach builds trust and transparency across borders and helps each region play to its strengths while complementing others.
Together, we’re co-creating a scaleup support system that spans four key areas:
Access to Finance (A2F) – Connecting startups to the right funding at the right stage
Global Growth Coaching (GGC) – Providing expert guidance on international expansion
Piloting in Test Beds (PILOT) – Helping startups trial and refine technologies in real-world settings
Public Procurement for Innovation (PPI) – Opening doors to major buyers and public sector partners
To shape this work, specialist Working Groups will bring together experts from across our partnership — from programme managers to business strategists — along with key external stakeholders. These groups will drive forward co-design in each service area, ensuring the final Service Catalogue reflects both startup needs and regional capabilities.
We’re also establishing a high-level Business Strategy Group to guide joint business development, bringing together CxO-level leaders from across the ecosystem.
Importantly, we’re embedding inclusive entrepreneurship throughout this process. A dedicated Inclusion Working Group will focus on ensuring female founders and women-led startups benefit from and shape these services, recognising that diversity is essential to Europe’s long-term innovation success.
Objective #1:
Strengthening Collaboration Across Europe’s Deep Tech Scaleup Ecosystems
To put our shared vision into action, ACCEND is launching a cross-border Accelerator Pilot Programme to support and scale Deep Tech scaleups across Europe.
The programme will run in two cohorts across a broad Smart Cities theme, delivering tailored support and matching scaleups with relevant stakeholders.
Each cohort will access high-value support through the four key areas defined in our joint Service Catalogue:
Access to Finance (A2F) – Connecting scaleups to regional and European investors
Piloting (PILOT) – Helping companies test and validate their solutions in real-world environments
Public Procurement for Innovation (PPI) – Matching scaleups with major public buyers and procurement opportunities
Global Growth Coaching (GGC) – Supporting expansion into international markets and corporate value chains
By working across partner regions, the programme doesn’t just support individual scaleups — it also helps improve and refine the services themselves. Every cohort is a chance to learn, test, and build a stronger European support system for Deep Tech scaleups.
Our goal: to give promising companies the tools, connections, and momentum they need to grow — and to lay the foundations for a lasting, collaborative approach to startup acceleration across Europe.
Objective #2:
Launching the ACCEND Accelerator Pilot Programme
Contact us
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