WIRTSCHAFTS UND INFRASTRUKTURBANK HESSEN

Their core work

Wirtschafts- und Infrastrukturbank Hessen (WIBank) is the state development bank for the German federal state of Hessen, serving as a key node in the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN). Their core H2020 activity centers on delivering innovation management support and internationalization services to Hessian SMEs, helping them access EU funding instruments like the SME Instrument and later the EIC Pilot. They act as a regional gateway connecting local businesses with European innovation programs, not as a research performer.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early period (2015-2018), WIBank focused on classic EEN services: helping Hessian SMEs with innovation consulting, internationalization, and navigating the SME Instrument. From 2019 onward, the emphasis shifted toward Key Account Management (KAM) services for companies that had already won EU funding through SMEI, FTI, FET-Open, and the EIC Pilot. This evolution mirrors the EU's own shift from the SME Instrument to the European Innovation Council, and suggests WIBank moved from pre-award guidance to post-award support for funded companies.

WIBank is moving toward deeper post-award support for EIC-funded SMEs, making them a relevant partner for anyone needing regional innovation ecosystem access in Hessen.

How they like to work

WIBank participates exclusively as a partner — never as coordinator — in all four of its H2020 projects, which are all Coordination and Support Actions (CSA). Their consortium network is remarkably narrow: only 4 unique partners, all within Germany. This profile points to a reliable but locally focused partner that contributes regional ecosystem access and SME networks rather than technical research capacity.

WIBank's H2020 network is confined to 4 German partners, reflecting its role as a regional service provider rather than a pan-European research actor. Their collaborations are domestic and likely involve other EEN Hessen consortium members.

What sets them apart

As Hessen's state development bank AND an EEN contact point, WIBank offers a rare combination of public-sector financial infrastructure and hands-on SME innovation support. For consortium builders, they provide direct access to the Hessian SME ecosystem — one of Germany's strongest economic regions (home to Frankfurt's financial hub and a dense manufacturing base). Their value lies not in technical expertise but in their ability to mobilize and support SMEs at the regional level.

Highlights from their portfolio

• InnoHessen2Europe (2020-2021)
  The most recent iteration shows the program's evolution to EIC Pilot KAM services, reflecting WIBank's adaptation to the EU's new innovation funding landscape.
• InnoHessen2Europe_19
  Marks the transition point where WIBank expanded from basic EEN support to include KAM services for SMEI, FTI, and FET-Open beneficiaries.