Application process is closed!

We invite all interested, motivated and experienced entrepreneurs, investors, innovators, operators and senior managers to join the EIC Scaling Club programme as Mentors.  

From today (19 February) until 13 March 2024 (9 AM CET), you can become part of our ambitious initiative to help scale European deep tech scale-ups into global leaders with the support and funding of the European Innovation Council (EIC).

If you are a seasoned Non-Executive Director (M/F) with a rich professional background looking to play a pivotal role in the development of European deep tech scale-ups, and you possess deep expertise in corporate or venture investment, M&A advisory services, or experience in growing and scaling deep tech companies, then we'd be delighted to welcome you to the Club as a mentor! 

The EIC Scaling Club aims to federate the most active Europe-centric investors, corporate innovators, business mentors and other stakeholder members to foster the growth of 120+ selected companies in 10 different sector-specific groups.

It builds upon the success of the EIC ScalingUp pilot with success stories such as IQM, Pasqal, SMART Photonics and Kheiron Medical Technologies. 

Would you like more information about the EIC Scaling Club? Have a poke around our website or find here a short presentation about the programme with detailed information about its commitments. 

Planned agenda:

1. Welcome & Intro to the EIC Scaling Club (5 mins)
2. Presentation of mentorship calendar (Tasks & Timeline, 10 mins)
3. Presentation of mentor profile, mentor commitments & benefits and mentor selection (10 mins)
4. Presentation of Market Opportunities (5 mins)
5. Q&A (30 mins)

What’s in it for you? 

As a Mentor, you will get: 

• Visibility in relevant communications including the website and social media channels. 
• Access to all online and onsite Club events with networking opportunities and access to company pitching sessions both online and onsite. 
• Access to researched lists and selected profiles. 
• Recognition and enhanced brand profile being featured in EIC Scaling Club reports. 
• Direct access to Europe’s top-performing innovative companies in strategic areas. 
• Create an exclusive profile on the EuroQuity platform and get access to the EIC Scaling Club community and connect with more companies and investors. 
  
• Financial contributions for performing mentoring services. 

Who are we looking for? 

The following expertise is considered relevant and required: 

• Corporate/Venture Investment Expertise: Significant experience in corporate finance or venture investment, especially in mergers and acquisitions. 
• Deep Tech Company Growth: Demonstrable experience in the development and scaling of deep tech companies. 
• Knowledge in Private Investments and IPOs: Proficiency in private investment spheres and IPO processes. 
• Track Record in Deep Tech SMEs: Documented involvement in the growth of deep tech SMEs, either directly or through strategic board-level contributions. 
• Domain senior network: Mentors shall have an extensive network to open doors 
• Board-level experience: Relevant experience in board-level positions  
• Mentorship experience: Relevant track record in mentoring deep-tech SMEs. 
• Sector-Specific Expertise: Club mentors are expected to have expertise in one or more of the following deep-tech sectors: Next-gen Computing, Digital Security & Trust, Renewable Energies, Smart Mobility, Cardiovascular Therapies, New Biotech Platforms, New Space, Clean Fuels & Hydrogen, Batteries & Energy Storage, Agri & Food tech. 
• Gender balance: Each market opportunity group must have a minimum of 5 female mentors. 
• Regional balance: Mentors must come from different EU member states or associated (non-EU) countries and each market opportunity group must have 2 mentors from SE and 2 mentors from CE. 
• Mentorship skills in one or more of the following areas: 
  • Investment & Financing
  • Sales & Partnership
  •  Leadership and talent 
  • Branding & PR 

• Additional qualifications to be considered in selection include strategic facilitation skills, effective communication, a commitment to diversity and inclusion, entrepreneurial experience in start-ups or early-stage SMEs, and knowledge of government/public or private funding. 

What responsibilities will the Mentors have? 

• Advise companies on their growth challenge and financial strategies by  
• Utilise assessment tools to analyse and address key challenges, opportunities, and risks. 
• Challenge entrepreneurs’ assumptions, anticipate problems and actively follow up for maximum impact. 
• Adhere to Non-Disclosure & Confidentiality agreements and facilitate investment and partnership introductions. 
• Seek investment & partnership contacts for allocated companies and make relevant introductions 
• Support two entrepreneurs in four mandatory sessions every six months, including at least one club event and compulsory online sessions, with a commitment of a minimum of 35 hours. 
• Optionally participate in additional sessions on a goodwill basis.
  

How to apply 

Confirm your availability and apply as a mentor before Wednesday 13 March 2024 at 9AM CET. 

Please submit an updated CV and address in your application how your experience and skills fit our mentor selection criteria addressed in the description mentioned above.  

Save the date!

In case you get selected as a mentor for our first cohort you will be invited to join our kick-off event, the Ignition Forum, on the 9 & 10th of April 2024 in Brussels and Leuven, Belgium. 

The Ignition Forum will launch the first 4 Market Opportunity Groups, each with 12 companies, along with specialised and committed Mentors, investors, corporations and agencies as Member Teams of the Club.

About the EIC Scaling Club

The EIC Scaling Club is a curated community where 100+ European deep tech scale-ups with the potential to build world-class businesses and solve major global challenges come together with investors, corporate innovators and other industry stakeholders to spur growth.

The top 100+ European deep tech companies will be carefully selected from a pool of high-growth scale-ups that have benefitted from EIC financial schemes, other European and national innovation programmes, and beyond.

The EIC Scaling Club is an EIC-funded initiative run in partnership by Tech Tour, Bpifrance (EuroQuity), Hello Tomorrow, Tech.eu (Webrazzi), EurA and IESE Business School.

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