150 innovators, entrepreneurs and industry experts made their way to Enterprise Ireland on Wednesday for a European Innovation Council (EIC) info day. Organised by National Contact Points James Walsh and David Flood, the event highlighted the range of funding opportunities available under the EIC programme.
EIC funding can be significant with up to €12.5m in grant and equity to a single company in the case of the Accelerator programme.
The session opened with a welcome from Enterprise Ireland’s executive director, Kevin Sherry, who highlighted the success of Irish companies in the EIC programmes and emphasised the importance of innovation and collaboration to Ireland’s future economic success.
Attendees were given an update on the 2025 EIC programmes and upcoming calls, and alerted to changes in the application and evaluation systems.
Ann Dooley, EEN and Miriam Simon, Executive Coach
Executive coach, Miriam Simon outlined some of the mentoring and coaching support available to applicants as proposals are developed. Ann Dooley of the European Enterprise Network (EEN) was also on-hand to discuss how the EEN can assist companies to build the capacities and capabilities needed to engage effectively with the EIC process.
Advice on how to prepare a memorable application, how to avoid some common pit-falls and tips on ‘dos and dont’s’ came from Marc Greatrex of Myriad Associates, Andrew Parish of Wakeup Capital and Jim Ryan and Bevan Carr of Lira Ltd.
A networking break was followed by a panel discussion led by Enterprise Ireland’s manager of ICT HPSU, Donnchadh Cullinan. EIC Accelerator winners Ruth Mackey of Mbryonics and Dr. Brendan Boland of Loci Orthopaedics gave first-person experience of the pathway to success and how to approach the application and interview phases of the programme.
Helen McBreen of Atlantic Bridge Partners provided the VC view on how EIC funding can be a transformative investment for companies pushing for rapid growth and expansion.
EIC call deadlines in 2025 fall between March and October so it’s time to get prepared! National Contact Points James Walsh and David Flood are available to assist applicants at every stage of the process so please get in touch.
