SMART CITIES & SUSTAINABILITY
Information on the 5 month Growth Programme
X2.0 will set up custom and needs based 5-month deeptech programme. The program will tailor its services to the needs of each startup, ensuring growth, scaling up, long term impact and cross border connections. Each selected startup will be screened by Venture Capital and Innovation experts and based on their insights, validated industry experts and their services will be proposed.
What are we looking for?
X2.0 cohort 4 focuses on Smart Cities and Sustainability domains and seeks innovative and impact-driven deeptech startups! This time around we are looking for teams that aim to leverage the latest technology or scientific discoveries to enhance the quality of life for residents and urban environments all the while promoting sustainable practices and way of life.
This cohort focus encompasses a wide range of sub-topics and areas of focus which can be seen to overlap and interconnect like: urban mobility & clean transportation, urban planning and development, public safety and security, energy efficiency, circular economy, resource efficiency, water and air quality, waste management, climate change mitigation, environmental monitoring, resilience and disaster preparedness.
Why to participate / Benefits
Innovation Vouchers to cover
- Needs-based growth and scaling services in the max. amount of €20,000
- 1-on-1 mentorship with experts from the field of need in the min. amount of €5,000
- Access large-scale startup and investor-oriented events, exhibitions, and fairs in the amount of €5,000
Other Program Benefits
- Corporate Matchmaking and procurement
- Private Fundraising assistance
- Custom EU funding and public procurement ecosystem and overview
- Talent Matchmaking & Job promotion
- Promotion & Visibility
Key Dates
Open Call
Start date: 10.10.2023 / End Date: 11.12.2023 at 17:00H CET
Evaluation
Start date: 12.12.2023 / End Date: 12.01.2024
Growth programme
Start date: 15.02.2024 / End Date: 15.07.2024
Eligibility Criteria
The startups need to clearly indicate that they fall under the criteria of deep tech startups. Deep tech, or deep technology, refers to those startups whose business model is based on high tech innovation in engineering, or significant scientific advances.
Eligible applicants to participate and receive funding are SMEs according to the Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC
Established in a Horizon Europe eligible country (Member States + Associated Countries)
The applicant has not been selected to participate in previous X2.0 cohorts
Selection Criteria
The startups will be evaluated based on the following criteria
Economic and business potential (25%)
Excellence (30%)
Impact (30%)
Special focus (10%) Seal of Excellence, Women entrepreneurs & Teams coming from Widening Countries
Motivation (5%)
I am a deep-tech startup
FAQs
How can X2.0 help me?
The project will distribute €1.5M in innovation and scaling up services to 50 deep-tech startups and will contribute to the offering of the EIC program over the period of two years. X2.0 will launch five open calls, one for each key impact area/cohort. The scaling up services will be delivered by the identified industry impact builders as per the need of each individual startup.
What constitutes a deeptech startup?
Deep tech, or deep technology, refers to those startups whose business model is based on high tech innovation in engineering, or significant scientific advances.
So, why are you financing my initiative?
X2.0 is a EU funded growth instrument, designed to provide access to support services and enable growth of the leading deeptech startups in the EU Member States and Horizon Europe associated countries.
If we are selected for the program, how many team members can attend the acceleration program on behalf of my startup?
X2.0 Program custom program is designed to the needs of each individual startup and its personnel . We encourage each startup to allocate appropriate C-level personnel to the service assigned.
What is the time commitment expected from me?
X2.0 Program custom program is designed to the needs of each individual startup. Based on your needs and objectives, the services and event attendance is envisioned to take place over the period of 6 months. No fixed schedule of utilisation of services will be imposed, however the voucher distribution will be based on the achievement of the KPIs and the service delivery.
Is there any financial support available for travel and accommodation expenses?
X2.0 Program envisions 5,000 EUR to be allocated to the event attendance, transport and accommodation of minimum 2 events.
When are we going to be paid?
X2.0 Program utilizes vouchers to pay for the external services provided to you by impact builders. Phased funding/voucher payment will be made to startups who will then pay the impact builders based on KPI and service delivery will be conducted. More information can be found in Guidelines for Applicants.
Are there any restrictions for UK companies to apply to X2.0?
UK are not eligible, only the recipients coming from Horizon Europe countries – Member States and Associated.
Can I communicate directly with the X2.0 team?
Yes. If this FAQ did not answer your question, you can send us an email via info@x2-0.eu
X2.0. Project. Funded by the European Union under GA No101073781. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.