The projects bring together potentially high-impact SMEs and creates a ‘new cross-European ecosystem.’
DigiCirc, the European Commission’s initiative to assist SMEs leverage digital technology to create innovative circular products, services and business models, is organising two new acceleration programmes on the Blue Economy and the Bio Economy.
DigiCirc, which is funded by INNOSUP, aims to capitalise on the potential of new digital technologies to boost the transition to the circular economy. It focuses on three thematic areas, these being: circular cities, blue economy and bio economy.
The projects bring together potentially high-impact SMEs and creates a ‘new cross-European ecosystem’ in the circular economy by organising acceleration programs and building a community of like-minded stakeholders. There are also four digital tools to support companies involved.
The first acceleration programme comprised 17 SMEs advancing solutions for circular cities. Projects under this accelerator include solutions on food waste and plastic waste in urban environments.
For the Blue Economy accelerator programme, DigiCirc will select a minimum of 15 consortia, comprised of at least two SMEs/Start-ups, to develop solutions focused on digital technologies addressing one of seven Blue Economy challenges. These challenges include developing solutions, based on digital technologies to optimise ocean renewable energy operations.
The deadline to apply for the Blue Economy acceleration programme is 3 August 2021, with the kick-off in December 2021. The project has €2.4 million in funding which will be shared between at least 90 SMEs.
The selected consortia will get direct funding of up to €20 000. At the end of the accelerator programme, the five best ranked consortia will be selected to receive further funding of €100 000. They will then have six months to develop their prototype and make tests, with a view to a commercial launch.
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