STEINBEIS 2I GMBH

Their core work

Steinbeis 2i is a Stuttgart-based innovation and technology transfer intermediary that helps SMEs access EU research results, funding, and cross-border partnerships. They operate as part of the Steinbeis Europa Zentrum network, specializing in bridging the gap between research projects and business adoption — running innovation audits, building capacity in companies, and brokering technology connections across sectors like digital, energy, and manufacturing. Their core competence is not developing technology themselves, but orchestrating ecosystems: connecting researchers with industry, organizing cluster activities, and managing dissemination and outreach across large EU consortia.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In 2015–2018, Steinbeis 2i focused heavily on manufacturing clusters, technology transfer, and entrepreneurship promotion — connecting Factory of the Future projects, running photonics outreach, and supporting CPS roadmapping. From 2018 onward, their work shifted clearly toward international cooperation (especially EU-China), capacity building for SMEs in clean production, and renewable energy ecosystem support. The CSA-dominant funding profile (46 of 55 projects) remained constant, confirming their consistent role as ecosystem orchestrators rather than technology developers.

Steinbeis 2i is expanding from regional German innovation support toward pan-European and global (especially EU-China) capacity building networks, with increasing focus on clean energy and production for SMEs.

How they like to work

Steinbeis 2i operates as both a coordinator (13 projects) and a reliable consortium partner (40 projects), comfortable in either role. With 359 unique partners across 48 countries, they function as a network hub — connecting diverse organizations rather than returning to the same partners. This makes them an excellent consortium partner when you need someone who can manage dissemination, organize SME engagement, or connect a research consortium to industry across multiple countries.

One of the most broadly connected innovation intermediaries in H2020, with 359 unique consortium partners spanning 48 countries — covering virtually all of Europe plus international partners in China and Africa (e.g., VicInAqua in Lake Victoria basin). Strong base in Baden-Württemberg with deep Enterprise Europe Network ties.

What sets them apart

Unlike research institutes that bring technical expertise or companies that bring market access, Steinbeis 2i brings the connective tissue — they know how to run innovation audits, organize brokerage events, manage dissemination across 20+ country consortia, and translate research outputs into SME-digestible formats. Their Enterprise Europe Network roots in Baden-Württemberg (one of Europe's strongest manufacturing regions) give them direct access to thousands of industrial SMEs. If your consortium needs a partner who can ensure research results actually reach industry, Steinbeis 2i is a proven choice.

Highlights from their portfolio

• KET4CleanProduction
  Their largest coordinated project (EUR 2.6M) — a pan-European network giving manufacturing SMEs access to Key Enabling Technology services for clean production.
• PANBioRA
  Unusual departure into biomaterial risk assessment coordination (EUR 500K), showing their ability to manage complex research projects beyond their typical innovation support role.
• ERICENA
  EU-China Centre of Excellence (EUR 356K) exemplifying their expanding international cooperation portfolio, bridging European and Chinese innovation ecosystems.