Our Mission

ACCEND is building a Europe-wide network to supercharge the next generation of deep tech startups. 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 startup 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 scale-ups 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 more than 100 startups, 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 Startup Service Catalogue — a new kind of European playbook for startup 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 startup 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 Startup Ecosystems

To put our shared vision into action, ACCEND is launching a cross-border Accelerator Pilot Programme to support and scale more than 100 Deep Tech startups across Europe.

The programme will run in three thematic cohorts, grouping startups with similar needs and market focus. This approach makes it easier to deliver tailored support, match startups with relevant stakeholders, and maximise the impact of services across the network.

Each cohort will access high-value support through the four key areas defined in our joint Service Catalogue:

  • Access to Finance (A2F) – Connecting startups to regional and European investors

  • Piloting (PILOT) – Helping companies test and validate their solutions in real-world environments

  • Public Procurement for Innovation (PPI) – Matching startups 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 startups — 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 scale-ups.

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

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