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Discovering new markets

Building frameworks and corporate capacities to meet the demands of green and emerging markets

A handshake

Around 22 million small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) make up 99% of all companies in Europe. On top of providing 100 million jobs, start-ups and entrepreneurs are at the forefront of innovation and play a pivotal role in the green transition. Their skills and competitiveness are key to ensuring a robust economy prepared for future demands.

Our projects enable SMEs and startups to thrive on emerging sustainable markets and tap into digital technologies such as blockchain, 3D-technology, virtual reality, and AI. They do this through capacity building, market research and business models, and insights enabling better policy and collaboration frameworks. 

Discover project highlights

Browse through the slideshow to discover key project achievements so far:

Dive into project success stories

A cameraman recording a young lady wearing an apron, in an open tent on summer's day.

> CUPIDO aims at culture and rejuvenates rural areas

Two smiling ladies engaging in a conversation with a third person.

> Helping SMEs expand overseas

A speaker in front of a large screen.

> Cities as drivers of green innovation

Two workers focused on a manufacturing task.

> Navigating the future of skills and industries

A group of people seated in a cosy living room talking and using laptops.

> Matchmaking for CO2 savings

Two people deep in conversation in a big event hall.

> Growing the healthcare economy

A young lady sitting on a chair outside, overlooking a beautiful Norwegian fjord.

> Enabling nature and business to thrive together

Explore projects boosting business

Projects in the VIB programme period (2021-2027)

Sustain-3D
Building SME capacity within 3D printing technology
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3ST
Speeding up sustainability skills in tourism enterprises
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GRIT
Building skills for the green industrial transition
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NESSIE
Educating the green energy installers of the future
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An illustration of a cogwheel with a person at the centre.
OASIS
Accelerating SMEs' capacity for offshore storage and system integration
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An illustration of a rocket taking off.
BRAVE
Building a €250m cleantech investment pipeline in seven regional energy systems
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An illustration of a speedometer.
SSCH
Developing Super Smart Charging Hubs for V2G and better grid balance
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An illustration of a lightning encircled by a power cable
H2ignite
Igniting hydrogen transport innovation ecosystems
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A lightning inside a shape encircled by an arrow
ACE
Boosting homecare innovation across the North Sea Region
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An illustration showing two hands supporting a house with a heart and a cross.
Digital Health for All
Accelerating the digital health transformation
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An illustration showing a cross in a circle, with connectors
GRITH
Boosting renewable energy in industrial sites
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Icon showing a factory with a recycling arrow encircling a living plant
Digital Kiosks
New partnerships fostering the sharing economy of goods
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Projects in the VB programme period (2014-2020)

CANAPE
Cultivating restored peatlands and growing new markets for nature-based products
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Create Converge
Creating visibility for creative technology industries
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Person wearing a virtual reality headset.
COM³
Providing training and support to help rural businesses embrace the digital revolution
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An arrow pointing up into a cloud.
CUPIDO
Taking an entrepreneurial approach to cultural heritage
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A stage with the audience in front.
EXSKALLERATE
Supporting SMEs to use exoskeletons to enhance workplace health and safety
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Illustration of a man wearing an exoskeleton.
Futures by Design
Enabling rural SMEs to engage in data-driven innovation
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Square dots on top of a folder.
GrowIn 4.0
Making digital know-how accessible for manufacturing industries
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A robotic arm attached to a cogwheel.
INDU-ZERO
Creating a factory blueprint for mass renovating 22 million homes
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A big leaf inside a house.
Inn2POWER
Supporting SMEs to innovate for the offshore wind industry
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Two wind turbines in the sea.
Inno-Quarter
Facilitating SMEs and startups to test their products and services at festivals
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flags hanging on two lines.
Lean Landing
Helping micro-SMEs break into foreign markets
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A suitcase.
Northern Connections
Matching energy needs and solutions through innovative living labs
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Illustration of a puzzle with four pieces.
PERISCOPE
Boosting innovation to bolster emerging blue markets in the North Sea
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Periscope emerging above waves.
Prowad Link
Boosting nature-friendly enterprise based on world-class natural heritage
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Sun and hills inside a circle.
REFRAME
Rebranding local food enabling SMEs to proft from short supply chains
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A carrot, broocoli and bell pepper.
RIGHT
Building skills to future-proof regional capacities for the blue and green sectors
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A hand under an academic cap.
Scale-UP
Bringing innovative cleantech SMEs together with potential buyers
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Illustration of a handshake.
SHINE
Designing novel business models for robust, affordable healthchare
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Hands under a heart with a cross on top.

Top image ©Peshkova/Getty Images via Canva.com
Icons on this page: ©Noun Project