Developing a successful, sustainable business around promising technology brings its own set of challenges, from commercialisation and business strategy to laying the foundations for long-term growth. Addressing these challenges simultaneously can seem overwhelming, particularly for innovators whose experience lies primarily in research and technological development. Taking the next step towards building a viable business often requires a different set of skills, from understanding customers and developing sales strategies to attracting investment.
At AcrossLimits, helping businesses navigate these challenges has been part of our work for years. Now, as a new partner of the European Innovation Council (EIC) Ecosystem Partnership Programme, we are bringing this experience to a wider network of European innovators through business development, coaching, mentoring and digital transformation services. Through the EIC Service Catalogue, EIC-backed startups and research teams can access our expertise alongside services offered by other specialised organisations across Europe.
The EIC Ecosystem Partnership Programme forms part of the European Innovation Council’s Business Acceleration Services (BAS), which complement EU funding by connecting innovators with specialised expertise, business networks and other resources. The programme offers access to services ranging from business planning and coaching to technological development and internationalisation, helping innovators strengthen their commercial capabilities, reach new markets and build sustainable businesses.
Over the past 25 years, AcrossLimits has worked with businesses at various stages of development, from early-stage startups and scale-ups to established international corporations. Among the businesses we have worked with are deep-tech startups such as in quantum, cyber security and AI, which we have advised on sales and business development. We have also worked with European networks like Impulse4Women, providing mentoring to startups on business development and investment readiness, helping entrepreneurs strengthen their commercial strategies and prepare to approach investors.
Our experience also extends to working with incubators and the startups they support. Through engagements with university-linked incubators, we have guided entrepreneurs in improving their business models, sales strategies, investment plans and overall commercial readiness. This has included helping startups address weaknesses in their business plans and prepare for opportunities where the commercial potential of an innovation is just as relevant as its technological development.
Through our work with the COST Association, we have delivered business modelling and planning workshops to help research teams explore the commercial potential of their results. These activities covered a range of topics such as identifying potential customers, assessing market opportunities, developing revenue models and identifying pathways towards commercially viable products and services.
AcrossLimits has also supported larger international corporations, including companies based outside the EU, in developing their business activities in Europe. Through our training branch, TrainingMalta, we have trained thousands of participants over the years, including in areas such as marketing, entrepreneurship and business development.
This combination of technical and business development expertise is reflected in the two services we are now offering through the EIC Service Catalogue: Business and Digital Transformation Services and Coaching and Mentoring for Business Development.
Business and Digital Transformation Services
Adopting new technological solutions can help businesses improve their productivity and expand their capabilities. However, identifying the right solutions and integrating them into existing processes requires careful planning, particularly for startups and smaller businesses with limited resources. Through our Business and Digital Transformation Services, we help organisations assess their existing operations, identify opportunities for improvement and develop digital transformation strategies suited to their needs.
Our support covers the different stages of this process, from analysing business processes and developing digital transformation roadmaps to selecting technologies, designing solutions and supporting their implementation. We also provide technical services including customised website and application development, systems integration, branding and marketing support. Alongside the technical aspects, we offer training and capacity-building activities to help organisations and their teams adapt to new technologies and working methods.
Coaching and Mentoring for Business Development
Entrepreneurs also need the skills to make informed decisions about their ventures, particularly in the early stages, when individual choices can have lasting consequences for their businesses. Our Coaching and Mentoring for Business Development service builds on our experience advising startups and established businesses on commercial strategy, sales and growth, providing personalised support to entrepreneurs at different stages of business development.
For those in the early stages of establishing a venture, we offer one-to-one business mentoring, providing practical guidance on the challenges associated with starting and developing a business. Entrepreneurs looking to expand their existing operations can benefit from individual business coaching, with a focus on turning strategic plans into practical outcomes. Both the business mentoring and coaching programmes are delivered online through a structured series of 12 live sessions, allowing participants to address challenges specific to their businesses.
In addition to individual coaching and mentoring, we offer professional training programmes through our dedicated training branch. These cover entrepreneurship, personal branding, digital marketing and networking using artificial intelligence, as well as ethics, gender equality and inclusion. The courses can be tailored to the needs of EIC beneficiaries.
How EIC ACCESS+ Can Help You Access AcrossLimits’ Expertise
Accessing specialised expertise can represent a significant expense, particularly for startups and research-driven businesses already investing substantial resources in developing and commercialising their technologies. To help address this, the EIC ACCESS+ initiative provides financial support to eligible innovators seeking services through the EIC Service Catalogue.
The second EIC ACCESS+ Open Call is expected to launch in November 2026, with a total funding budget of up to €3.6 million and financial support of up to €60,000 per eligible beneficiary or project. The new call is also expected to broaden eligibility to include beneficiaries of the Horizon 2020 EIC Pilot, spin-offs from EIC-awarded projects and EIC Pre-Accelerator awardees under the WIDERA Work Programme, alongside existing eligible groups.
According to preliminary information published by EIC ACCESS+, beneficiaries could receive support covering up to 50% of the cost of services classified under Business Planning and Coaching & Mentoring. These are the two categories under which AcrossLimits’ services are listed, with respective grant ceilings of €15,000 and €30,000. The co-financing rates and grant ceilings remain subject to confirmation in the official call documentation when published.
Whether you are preparing to commercialise a new technology, developing your first business or looking to strengthen your existing operations, you can explore our services directly through the EIC Service Catalogue:
Each listing provides further information about the services, their conditions and how to get in touch with our team. Further information on the upcoming call, including eligibility requirements and application procedures once published, can be found on the EIC ACCESS+ website.