AcrossLimits is pleased to announce that we have joined forces with the EPIC-X consortium as an Ecosystem Builder.
EPIC-X is an EU-funded project aiming to transform the European innovation ecosystem by empowering women-led deep tech startups, specifically in the Widening area. The project aims to foster innovation and excellence by strengthening stronger links between regional innovation ecosystems. Rooted in the unique strengths and smart specialisation of each region, the initiative tackles long-standing disparities and ensures talent from every corner of the EU can thrive.
As part of its mission, the EPIC-X project will support 20 female-led deep tech startups from “moderate” and “emerging” innovator countries: (Slovenia, Portugal, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, Italy, Poland, Lithuania, and the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Estonia, Croatia, Malta, Latvia, Greece, and Spain).
In total, it will distribute €1.2M in cascade funding to female-led deep tech startups to accelerate their growth. Selected startups will join the EPIC-X Acceleration+ Programme, a six-month initiative offering personalised roadmaps, monthly operational support sessions, and dedicated mentoring from a pool of 100+ experienced experts. Additionally, meetups, masterclasses, and networking opportunities will help refine strategies and boost market readiness. Each startup will receive €40,000 in grant funding and €20,000 in vouchers for expert mentoring. As part of the programme, participants will connect with investors and innovation ecosystems, culminating in a high-profile Demo Day offering the perfect platform to pitch and scale their ventures.
The initiative brings together 16 ecosystem builders from moderate and emerging innovator countries, laying the foundation for a network that will expand across all regions and actively engage quadruple helix actors—academia, industry, public authorities, and civil society – in co-creation, co-implementation, and co-assessment activities. As the Ecosystem Builder for Malta, AcrossLimits will help in EPIC-X’s mission to expand its network into all Widening countries. We are bringing into the project a Maltese perspective, ensuring that Malta’s context is represented and that Maltese women-led companies can benefit from the programme.
AcrossLimits is aptly positioned to participate in the Epic-X Ecosystem: both due to our strong network at home and abroad, and also because of our long-standing commitment to participating in initiatives that foster gender equality in R&I. Naturally, our largest contribution to this field to date is our involvement as a core partner of the Women TechEU project, a similar but broader cascade funding EU-funded programme that focuses on empowering women-lead deep-tech startups in all European and Horizon Associated Countries.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union and therefore the European Union cannot be held responsible for them